Elkhart County approves $1.01M Bridge 332 contract, inspection funding and other measures

Elkhart County commissioners on July 14 approved a package of public-works and permit measures that included awarding a $1,009,617.39 contract for the rehabilitation of Bridge 332 and accepting additional federal inspection funds from the Indiana Department of Transportation.

The board voted unanimously to award the Bridge 332 rehabilitation contract to Milestone Contractors for $1,009,617.39. Kyle Wagner of the county highway department said the span "is currently closed to all traffic. It was found in our bridge inspection that it had critical failures." Wagner told the commissioners the contract award was completed that day and that the bridge should be open in October with total project completion in December.

The commissioners also approved INDOT Amendment No. 1 to the county's bridge inspection contract, which the meeting record shows increases the federal funding portion to $512,955.20. Wagner said the change is tied to an INDOT mandate that moved a group of structures to annual inspection cycles: "Not not all structures. There's a list of, I believe, 36 bridges that changed to a 12 month inspection." He and the board tied the higher contract amount to that inspection schedule change.

Separately, the board approved designation of an unofficial detour related to an INDOT small-structure replacement project on U.S. 6 west of State Road 15 (at Preston Miles Ditch). Wagner described the unofficial detour — County Road 17 to County Road 50 — as a route INDOT designates so the county can submit claims for any damage from increased traffic during the state project.

The commissioners approved an additional appropriation from the motor vehicle highway fund listed on the agenda as $279,009.59. County staff said the amount represents funds already received from the City of Elkhart under an interlocal agreement for a joint paving project on County Road 6 between County Road 9 and County Road 11 and characterized the appropriation as a net-zero budget action to allow the county to expend the city's portion of the work.

The board granted a noise-ordinance variance for a private event requested by Christopher Harris of 50778 Shady Lane. County Administrator Jeff Taylor presented the request, saying Harris sought a variance "from the hours of 01:00 to 10:00 on Saturday, August 23 for music and cheering." The application, Taylor said, said the host expects 40 to 50 people and intends to notify neighbors door to door. The motion carried despite one commissioner saying, "I will vote no." The transcript does not record names for the motion mover and seconder or a roll-call vote count.

On a planning item, May Cranser of Planning and Development told the board a $125,000 TIF request for final design and bid documents for the Lily Creek Greenway was on the agenda but had been approved previously in June; the item will go to county council on Thursday and staff said the repeated appearance on the commissioners' agenda was an administrative oversight.

Votes at a glance - Award Bridge 332 contract to Milestone Contractors, $1,009,617.39 — outcome: approved (unanimous). Evidence: county highway presentation and motion on July 14. - Approve INDOT Amendment No. 1 (bridge inspection contract), federal funds increased to $512,955.20 — outcome: approved (unanimous). Evidence: highway presentation and motion on July 14. - Approve unofficial detour for INDOT US 6 small structure work (County Road 17 to County Road 50) — outcome: approved (unanimous). Evidence: highway presentation and motion on July 14. - Additional appropriation from motor vehicle highway fund (listed as $279,009.59) to reflect City of Elkhart payment for County Road 6 paving — outcome: approved (unanimous). Evidence: highway presentation and motion on July 14. - Noise-ordinance variance for Christopher Harris, event on Aug. 23 (hours listed as 01:00–10:00, applicant expects 40–50 people, sound not to exceed 95 dB) — outcome: approved (motion carried; one commissioner recorded opposition). Evidence: County Administrator presentation and vote on July 14.

The meeting record shows no roll-call vote tallies or mover/second names consistently identified for several actions; where the transcript does not record names, the article describes outcomes and key details as stated during the meeting.

Ending The meeting concluded after public comment and a brief adjournment motion. A planning item for Lily Creek Greenway will proceed to county council later in the week for final action.