Decatur County awards local bidder for bridge repairs after inspection findings

Decatur County commissioners approved DESE Construction as the local bidder to perform repairs identified in recent bridge inspections and discussed using the county’s existing skip-and-pave bid package to cover the needed work.

The highway superintendent told the board inspectors reported three “critical findings,” including separated guardrail posts and bearing pads that had moved beneath the deck at multiple bridges. Staff said crews reattached guardrails and jacked bridge decks to reposition bearing pads while documenting repairs to bridge-inspection authorities.

County staff recommended running the repair work under the county’s skip-and-pave bid, which covers partial deck repair, full-depth repair, skid patching and other resurfacing work. The county also reviewed state prequalification guidance and communications with INDOT staff and concluded a bidder prequalification certificate is sufficient for local projects even when local project amounts exceed $300,000, citing multiple sections of state law (discussed as Title 36, Title 5 and Title 4 during the meeting).

Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to accept DESE Construction as the local bidder; the motion carried.

The highway superintendent said additional guardrail work and bearing-pad adjustments were completed and that crews will continue to document repairs and follow up with state bridge inspectors. Staff asked commissioners to confirm the use of the skip-and-pave contract for project procurement. The board indicated support to proceed under that contract language.

County staff will proceed with contracting under the existing bid structure and continue documenting repairs for bridge-inspection compliance. No dollar amount for the DESE award was specified on the record at the meeting.