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Commission approves fiber permits, chip‑and‑seal and equipment prepay; resident urges fix for Shady Lane
Summary
Commissioners approved permits for Surf Internet and BSM to install fiber, approved a prepay for telepatcher equipment and heard highway department updates on bridge work, chip‑and‑seal totals and concerns about buggy traffic and road maintenance.
Marshall County commissioners on Aug. 18 approved permitting requests for two utility bore installations, authorized a prepayment for telepatcher equipment and heard Highway Commissioner Jason deliver a roundup of roadwork and bridge schedules.
Public comment: Joseph Barnes of 11459 Shady Lane Drive told commissioners the southern portion of Shady Lane is “in terrible shape,” describing loose gravel and crumbling pavement that prevents safe bicycle riding and makes walking unpleasant. He asked the commissioners to investigate remediation for the road.
Fiber permits: The board approved a directional bore permit for Surf Internet to tie into neighborhoods south of La Paz and expand service; the board also approved a directional bore permit for BSM Groups (with Nexus named as contractor) for work on Plymouth Ocean Trail between Lilac and Creekside Boulevard. Motions to approve both permits carried.
Road program and bridge update: Jason reported 67 miles of chip‑and‑seal completed this year and total road program spending on triple/double seals of $1,251,723. He summarized the NIPSCO-related bridge demolition and port construction schedule: NIPSCO’s stated completion date is Sept. 26, with bridge demolition starting the following week; port construction estimates placed final construction completion in December 2025 but noted weather and asphalt-plant seasonal closures could push paving into 2026 and shift costs into next year. Jason said the county has requested updates from NIPSCO and is monitoring schedules.
Prepay for telepatcher: Commissioners voted to approve a prepay for a telepatcher (road patching equipment) so procurement can proceed; the motion carried.
Buggy traffic and maintenance: Commissioners discussed maintenance costs on roads heavily used by horse‑and‑buggy traffic and noted research suggesting higher per‑mile maintenance costs; the board discussed possible increases to buggy-plate fees and coordination with neighboring counties and LTAP/Ohio studies.
Commissioners said they will follow up on Joseph Barnes’s Shady Lane complaint by having highway staff investigate and contact the resident directly.
