NORTH MANCHESTER – The North Manchester Town Council heard from United Engineering Wednesday night as construction on the covered bridge stretching over the Eel River is set to begin April 29. Representatives from United Engineering answered questions and gave the council final details outlining the costs of the project, which is being done by Wabash County. Project development began in 2008 for restoring the bridge that was built in 1872 and is on the National Registry of Historical Landmarks. The total cost of the construction project is about $1 million; 8o percent of those funds are being paid for with federal grant money, while the remaining 20 percent is being funded by the county. Beginning May 28, the Eel Street bridge will be closed for the remainder of the project, which is set to wrap up by Nov. 5. Detour markers will be set out on both the north and south ends of the bridge. In other business, a tax abatement for OJI Intertech was preliminarily approved Wednesday night, covering $900,000 in upgrades and improvements to equipment at the plant. Representatives from OJI stated that they would be hiring at least four entry-level employees, and probably more if further contracts come in. The Indiana Department of Transportation is closing its office in North Manchester and relocating their employees. The Wabash office will now be the main office for the area. Finally, North Manchester will be flushing hydrants beginning Monday. Spring clean-up is scheduled to begin April 29, and the city would like to remind citizens that their leaves must be bagged in order to be picked up. The next North Manchester Town Council meeting will be May 1 at 7 p.m.
