13 WTHR IndianapolisBridge closure leads to college enrollment drops

Bridge closure leads to college enrollment drops

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NEW ALBANY -

The closure of an Ohio River bridge is cutting enrollment at two universities.

Indiana University Southeast in New Albany and the University of Louisville say the Sherman Minton Bridge closure has led to the largest drop in spring enrollment in four years.

The 50-year-old steel span along Interstate 64 has been closed since Sept. 9 after cracks were found in the bridge. Traffic has been shifted to the area's two other Ohio River bridges.

IU Southeast officials tell the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., that they saw a nearly 4 percent enrollment drop from last spring. The University of Louisville saw spring-to-spring enrollment fall by 801 students.

The contractor repairing the bridge says it is on track to complete the work by a March 2 deadline.

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