Owen County commissioners agreed April 17 to let highway staff add an addendum to the county’s Community Crossings bid packet that delays contractor start dates and extends the project window to qualify for grant cycles and allow proper road preparation.

Highway staff proposed a start date of Sept. 1, 2025, with a June 30, 2026 completion deadline, a window the department said NDOT allows and that would let the county apply for 2026 and 2027 grant funding as long as the 2025 grant work is closed before applying. The board approved the motion to accept the extension and directed staff to have the county’s project manager draft the addendum and distribute it to bidders.

Highway staff and emergency management officials also briefed commissioners on flood-related damage and ongoing recovery work. County officials said they were preparing documentation for Homeland Security and state reimbursement and that preliminary internal estimates for required repairs and replacement work were “a little over $12,000,000,” figures described during the meeting as a starting point for grant and reimbursement requests.

The Community Crossings work the highway department discussed would focus on Freedom Road (three segments), Pleasant View Road, Kelly Bridal (leaving the Anderson section to 2026), plus Class, Holly Brook and Pea Ridge. Highway staff emphasized the need to complete drainage, culvert and tree removal work before paving so the pavement lasts longer and grant money is spent efficiently.

The department said two of four contractors that pulled bid packets had indicated they would accept the extended timeline, and staff asked for permission to reach the remaining bidders and issue the addendum as soon as possible. Commissioners asked staff to get written acknowledgement from contractors that they understand bids are tied to fixed grant funding and that costs will not increase beyond the awarded amount.

Emergency management and highway staff reminded residents that additional rain could create new damage and that recovery work will continue as crews identify problems. The board’s approval instructs highway staff to prepare the addendum and circulate it to prospective contractors so bidding/scheduling can proceed under the extended calendar.