Council approves several bridge engineering appropriations and interlocal for College Avenue reconstruction
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Summary
The council approved multiple locally funded bridge appropriations (Bridge 362, Bridge 20254, Bridge 407) and ratified an interlocal agreement with the city to fund $2 million toward replacement of County Bridge 410 as part of a federal-aid INDOT contract for College Avenue reconstruction.
Elkhart County Council voted to fund several locally managed bridge projects and approved an interlocal agreement with the city for a College Avenue reconstruction that includes replacement of a county bridge.
Kyle Wagner of the highway department requested $350,000 from the EDIT fund for preliminary engineering and associated costs for Bridge 362 (Division Street over the Elkhart River) and an $80,000 appropriation for engineering alternatives for Bridge 20254 (County Road 38 over Bogo Creek), both to be locally funded. The council approved the appropriations by voice vote.
Wagner also presented $80,000 for engineering assessment of Bridge 407 (College Avenue over Run Creek) in Goshen; the council approved that request.
County attorney Steve Olsen presented an interlocal agreement under which the city will serve as lead agency on a federal-aid roadway reconstruction project along College Avenue; the county will fund $2,000,000 for replacement of Elkhart County Bridge Number 410 as a locally funded component within the INDOT contract. Council approved the interlocal and the funding direction; the bid letting is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2025.
Council members discussed the statewide issue of aging bridges and inspection cycles; staff said many county bridges are over 50 years old and nearing the end of their expected service lives.
