Columbus City Council will be considering its final approval on a $10 million dollar down payment on an overpass into downtown Columbus, when the council meets tomorrow night.

The project would take traffic over the railroad tracks near State Road 46 and State Road 11 heading into the downtown area. The Indiana Department of Transportation is estimating that the project will cost about $30 million dollars and the city is on the hook for half of that amount. The first payment from the city is due on Dec. 15th.

To make this first payment, the city is taking money from the Cummins Tax Increment Financing district on Central Avenue, along with the downtown TIF district and money donated by Bartholomew County.

Last week, city engineer Dave Hayward said that there are already crews in the area, searching for any archaeologically significant sites in the fields planned for the overpass.

The Louisville and Indiana Railroad is already at working clearing trees near its bridge at Noblitt Park. Replacing that bridge next year is the next step to allow more frequent trains to roll through Columbus, and trains that are longer, wider and taller. CSX Railroad is using the L&I tracks and plans to run up to 22 trains a day through downtown once it gets fully up to speed.

Tomorrow night’s meeting is at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Columbus City Hall and you are invited.