Human remains found at Henry Street bridge site
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Several human remains and grave shafts have been found at the location of the Henry Street bridge project, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works said Monday afternoon.
Public Works says it 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 last week.
This system will protect crews from dirt collapsing during the excavation process.
Public Works said the shoring work was stopped to allow the identified remains to be exhumed by hand.
Local historian and PhD candidate Leon Bates warned officials about the human remains years ago.
“It is not a surprise,” Bates said. “We knew this was going to happen. They are just beginning to start construction over there. And major construction has not started and they have found 15 sets of remains which suggests to most of us that they’re going to find more.”