Commissioners accept roundabout closeout and approve bridge-inspection and railroad agreements

Clinton County commissioners on June 3 accepted final closeout paperwork for the State Road 28 roundabout and approved multiple highway-related contracts and agreements, including a four-year bridge inspection contract.

Rick Campbell and staff summarized the roundabout project, reporting an original project estimate of about $4.8 million and final costs of roughly $4.3 million — about $400,000 under the initial estimate. Commissioners voted to accept the closeout documents and keep the unspent funds in county highway accounts; state contributions for the project remain dedicated to the project and the county retained the savings.

The board also approved a four-year countywide bridge-inspection contract with BFNS (recorded in the minutes as a four-year cycle), a railroad crossing pavement agreement that will allow county staff to discuss removal of live crossing components, and a supplement agreement for construction inspection on Bridge 60 (2 50 West over Kilmore Creek) for $49,000. Each motion carried 3-0.

Campbell updated the board on ongoing road work such as wedging operations on County Road 100 North and paving completed by Central Paving. He said crews are waiting on scheduling to pave Mulberry-Jefferson after contractor coordination.

No new county highway funding reassignments were approved at the meeting; commissioners noted the savings on the roundabout will remain in county highway funds and that ARPA funds had been used as part of the original funding mix for the project.

The board authorized staff to sign required documents after the meeting to finalize the contracts and closeout paperwork.