Shelby County’s highway engineer presented multiple road and bridge items Sept. 11 and the county board approved all items on the report, including engineering agreements, a permanent permit-fee schedule, adoption of the Oxcart permitting system and authorization to begin a bid process for bearing repairs on the Findlay Bridge.

The board approved a supplemental engineering agreement with HMR Engineering for Structure 087-3198 over Richland Street in Clarksburg Township with an estimated engineering cost of $45,000. The board also approved an engineering agreement with Gonzales Engineering for Structure 087-3069 over Flat Branch Creek in Flat Branch Township with an estimated cost of $70,500. The highway engineer said both projects are funded through the township bridge program and are expected to be fully reimbursable to the county.

The engineer explained the Oxcart permitting system would allow online tracking and recordkeeping for permits and road‑use agreements; the permanent permit fee schedule is intended to recover staff time spent reviewing and inspecting permits. The Findlay Bridge (Structure 087-3001) is a 1966 construction and the engineer said bearings are rusting; the request was to begin a bid process pending a grant application result.

Why it matters: The approvals enable work on aging structures and create an administration process for permitting and cost recovery. The township bridge funding will reimburse the county for engineering costs, according to the engineer’s remarks.

Discussion vs. decision: The board took formal votes on the listed items and the record shows unanimous approval on roll call. No supplementary motions or amendments were recorded.

Ending: The engineer expects project construction next year for the Hidden Springs area project and will return with bid results and further details as the grant application and permitting work proceed.