CARMEL, Ind. — Crews on Monday will begin demolishing the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge just south of 106th Street in Carmel, the Hamilton County government said in a Thursday news release. The work will mark the first step toward replacing the structure, which historic flooding destroyed in mi d-August. Milestone Contractors will move equipment to the site Friday. Under the contract, crews must complete the demolition by Oct. 30. Workers expect to work 10-hour shifts six days a week to remove the bridge safely. “This is more than just taking the bridge down,” Hamilton County Highway Director Brad Davis said in the release. “Crews will also restore the slopes along the banks to make the area more stable and safer. At the same time, we’re working to complete the design of the permanent replacement. Getting the demolition done now will save valuable time once we’re ready to begin construction on the new bridge.” Representatives from Hamilton County, Carmel city government, Carmel Utilities, Martin Marietta, and Milestone Contractors met at the bridge Thursday for a planning meeting to review the demolition and coordinate the work. The bridge, built in 1998, requires a total replacement following the Aug. 15 collapse. Record rainfall and surging water caused the failure at Blue Woods Creek, which reversed its course toward the White River as a result of the flooding. Before the collapse, inspection reports from 2023 and 2025 rated the bridge in “good” or “very good” condition. While the area remains off-limits to the public, city officials earlier stabilized the area. The Indiana National Guard provided support, and two Black Hawk helicopter crews dropped 2,000-pound sandbags to create a backup barrier in case water breached the first dam created for stabilization. Officials and contractors gather on Sept. 24, 2026, next to the collapsed Hazel Dell Parkway bridge over Blue Woods Creek in Carmel, Indiana, (Provided Photo/Hamilton County Government) Officials and contractors gather on Sept. 24, 2026, next to the collapsed Hazel Dell Parkway bridge over Blue Woods Creek in Carmel, Indiana, (Provided Photo/Hamilton County Government) ...read more read less