INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Construction on the Henry Street Bridge on the east shore of the White River is set to resume after human remains and grave shafts were found there in November, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works said in a news release issued Tuesday. The design of the future bridge just west of Lucas Oil Stadium includes four large rings that motorists and pedestrians will go through as they cross the river. Public Works discovered 15 grave shafts, a headstone base, and a potential footstone with initials for a total of seven monument pieces east of the White River. Crews were installing the project’s shoring stabilization system when the remains were identified shortly after a groundbreaking for the project in October. The Henry Street Bridge’s east shore site sits on land once known as Greenlawn Cemetery, which is recognized as the city’s first cemetery. The release issued Tuesday said work the city’s archaeology contractor, Stantec, has completed its work on the construction site on the east bank. The archaeological work was prioritized to expedite the bridge construction process. Stantec’s archaeological efforts are approximately 20% complete within the 1.5-acre area designated for the project, and the work will continue with its crews going east toward Kentucky Avenue. Construction crews have been focusing on building bridge piers in the river since late 2024, following the completion of a causeway across the river. Once completed, the new bridge has been touted as a new transportation option, integrating with the expanded Indianapolis Cultural Trail, for residents west of the White River to access downtown. The bridge also will support the global headquarters for animal health company Elanco near the river’s west bank at the site of the former General Motors Stamping Plant. See the designs for a new downtown bridge Work on east shore of Henry Street Bridge to resume after graves found <p>A community meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, June 24, 2024, presented information on the planned Henry Street bridge project in downtown Indianapolis. The city’s Department of Public Works says the new bridge is part of an effort to bring animal health company Elanco’s global headquarters to the west side of the White River. (Provided Images/Indianapolis Department of Public Works)</p> 1 / 6 1 / 6 ...read more read less