Allen County commissioners on May 16 approved a series of highway planning studies, software contracts and land acceptances intended to make the county 's road and trail projects "shelf ready" for future funding, county highway staff said.

Will Harriman of the Allen County Highway Department presented the items, which included a study for Bass Road from West County Line Road to Scott Road (about 3.2 miles, not to exceed $134,700); a scoping report for five road segments totaling about 5.8 miles (not to exceed $247,800) including Yellow River Road and County Line Road; a contract with Engineering Resources Inc. for PACER road-rating software not to exceed $21,260; an update contract with Versus Engineering for the Union Chapel Road trail (not to exceed $10,500); and acceptance of warranty deeds for Parcel 7 (0.96 acres) and Parcel 10 for the Scott Road Trail. The board also accepted the 2024 Allen County Highway annual report.

Harriman said the studies generally assume 12-foot travel lanes and 6-foot shoulders, consider roundabout options and bridge and culvert evaluations, and would replace pavement in the study areas if ultimately built. He said the county's project programming currently places major construction well into the 2030s absent earlier federal funding and called the studies preparatory work to meet future funding opportunities.

On the annual report, staff said 2024 revenue was about $41,200,000 and disbursements about $37,400,000, and noted system totals shown in the report: roughly 1,336.51 miles of county road and 274 bridges; the highway office also reported interlocal agreements that add maintenance responsibility for another 32 bridges in incorporated municipalities. Harriman said disbursement levels vary with the number of projects bid each year and with federal lettings and materials costs.

The board approved temporary posting of a 15 mph speed limit on Reed Street from Emmy Road to James Street while Arcola Road is excavated for a new storm drain; staff said ARPA funds cover subgrade storm work and local road funds will pay for roadway repairs. Commissioners approved each motion by voice vote as presented during the meeting.

Staff emphasized these approvals are design-study and right-of-way steps rather than immediate construction decisions. Several commissioners asked questions about timing and funding; staff repeatedly stressed that construction would be contingent on future federal programming and funds.