Adams County approves bridge contract and seeks quotes for asphalt bridge approaches; takes bids for road paving and trucks under advisement

Adams County commissioners on March 20 authorized the county engineer to sign the construction contract for a scheduled bridge replacement and approved soliciting quotes for asphalt approach repairs on several county bridges.

County Engineer Nate told commissioners the signature will let the contractor start work and that the project is expected in late summer once it is fitted around another ODOT job. The replacement affects a bridge on County Road 825 South and County Road 650 West (location described in the engineer’s update). Commissioners moved to give the engineer authority to sign the contract so the contractor can receive a notice to proceed.

Nate also presented a template to solicit quotes for asphalt mill and surface repairs on five bridge approaches spread across the county as a low-cost preventative maintenance measure. Commissioners approved putting the work out for quotes and planned to review returned numbers on the April 11 schedule.

On countywide bridge inspection services, staff said a draft agreement from USI for the next inspection cycle (fiscal years 2026–2029) arrived with a higher cost than expected, driven partly by updated federal reporting and formatting requirements. Nate said aspects of the work are federally mandated and the contract is largely reimbursable through a federal grant, but he will review details to minimize the county’s 20 percent share before recommending action.

The board took two paving bids for County Road 300 North (US 27 to 700 West) under advisement: Brooks Construction of Fort Wayne ($1,159,332.00) and E & B Paving ($1,580,750.37). Commissioners also took two combined tandem-chassis truck bids under advisement: Selkirk International (combined $303,300.12, plus potential tariff surcharges) and Stoops Freightliner (combined $285,120). Commissioners asked staff to return next week with bid analyses.

Commissioners were also briefed that the bridge cleaning contractor (TLC) has started work and submitted its first invoice, and that the county is working to align short-structure inspection contracts with the large-structure schedule to help alternate companies and timing.

The highway department reported ongoing preventative maintenance: starting stone road work this season (about 7,200 tons applied so far with possible additional tonnage) and plans to begin a four-day, 10-hour workweek for road crews on May 12; commissioners approved the four-10 schedule.