Commissioners approve utility and change-order requests; highway crews report paving, bridge work

Marshall County commissioners approved several highway-department items, including utility/drive permits and a change order for a bridge project, and heard departmental progress reports on paving and inspections.

Highway director Jason (last name not specified) presented permit approvals and project updates. The board approved a NIPSCO request for 18109 Queen Road (an extension for a new residence in Union Township) and a BSM Group request to install cable on Goshen Trail from Lilac to Creekside Boulevard in Center Township; both motions were made and passed by voice vote.

On Bridge 232, staff presented a change-order notice (designation change of concrete mix from Class C to C E5) with no cost impact; the board approved the change order. Jason said the new mix mirrors mixes used successfully on other county roads and bridges. He also reported that Bridge 108 inspections and an asbestos investigation are complete, that Phase 2 inspections will start in October, and that the county must update signage to new MUTCD standards before inspections.

Jason gave paving and maintenance updates: an estimated seven miles of paving were planned based on available funds; crews were preparing to begin coral-mix paving; community-crossing and subdivision resurfacing work was reported complete or nearing completion on several local roads. Commissioners discussed timing for ordering materials if council surplus funding can be used before year-end; staff noted purchases must be completed and paid by Dec. 31 for 2025 appropriations to apply.

Why it matters: Routine approvals and project updates keep county transportation infrastructure moving; the change order has no cost impact but documents a material specification change that affects construction records and inspections.

The permits and change order were approved by motion and voice vote; the transcript records the motions as carried but provides no roll-call tallies.