INDIANAPOLIS — Construction on the new Henry Street bridge is moving to the east side of the White River. According to a press release from the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, archaeological excavation on the east side of the river is complete, and crews can now begin constructing the east end of the new Henry Street bridge. Bridge work on the west side of the White River began last year. Diagram of Henry Street bridge construction courtesy of Indy DPW. Archaeological excavation has been necessary because the parcel the bridge is being built on used to house Greenlawn Cemetery, which was the largest burial place for African Americans in the Hoosier State, according to the Indiana African American Genealogy Group. Greenlawn Cemetery was formed in 1821 and is recognized as Indianapolis' first official cemetery. Previous reporting indicates human remains have been recovered during the excavation and development of the Henry Street bridge site. The City of Indianapolis tasked Stantec with the archaeological excavation of the Henry Street bridge property. Per a report made in October, $12 million was dedicated to the archaeological excavation of the Henry Street bridge site. Overall, the Henry Street bridge project is expected to cost more than $43 million. The new Henry Street bridge is part of a larger, multi-phase plan designed to better connect downtown Indianapolis to the west side of the city. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. A rendering of the new Henry Street Bridge provided by Indy DPW. The bridge is also tied into an agreement the City of Indianapolis has with Elanco, a pharmaceutical company. Elanco plans to establish its new global headquarters on the west side of the White River. Archaeological efforts on the Henry Street bridge parcel are expected to continue, as just 20% of the 1.5-acre property has been formally investigated. Stantec began excavating the east side of the White River last November. With the east side of the White River excavated, archaeologists plan to continue eastward toward Kentucky Avenue. The City of Indianapolis did not provide an updated project completion date in its latest press release on the Henry Street bridge. ...read more read less