Dubois County to begin chip‑seal May 28; 300 North closed for culvert work starting May 27

The Dubois County Highway Department told the county commissioners on May 19 that a countywide chip‑seal overlay program will begin the week after Memorial Day, and that a box‑culvert replacement on 300 North will close that road for about four weeks starting May 27, weather permitting.

Highway staff said crews will begin chip‑seal work “starting on Wednesday, Wednesday after Memorial Day,” and warned residents to expect lane delays rather than full long‑term closures; the department will post warning signs and use social media to notify affected drivers. The department also said new signs will advise motorists to expect delays and that operations may briefly stop when crews are applying materials.

Commissioners were told the 300 North culvert job is about six‑tenths of a mile east of 500 West and will close the section between 350 West (Bushgutter Road) and 500 West for roughly four to five weeks while crews replace the pipe and install box culvert storage. Highway staff identified 300 North as the road that becomes 306th Street north of Ireland, and urged property owners and drivers to plan alternate routes during the closure.

On related business, the board approved a Community Crossings order change that reduces an existing contract by $3,365.97. A commissioner moved and the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioners also discussed a short‑term professional services agreement with Butler, Fairman & Seufert (BF&S) for corporate sizing and engineering advisory services to support the highway department while the county seeks a new full‑time engineer. The board approved signing the agreement after county legal adds a few standard contract terms; the motion carried with commissioners instructing legal to return the finalized document for signature.

The highway director and commissioners emphasized that some work — notably temporary lane controls during chip seal — will be brief but that the culvert replacement will require a hard closure and multi‑week schedule. Staff said they will provide route and timing details to the county’s communications contact for posting.

The board did not set new road‑use restrictions beyond the announced closures, but asked staff to coordinate notifications with local police, the city and township offices to reduce traffic conflicts during work.

Less urgent items on the highway agenda — routine maintenance updates and GIS vendor outreach — were discussed but did not require formal action at the meeting.