Madison County approves federal‑aid earmark for Bloomington Parkway and updates bridge posting and five‑year roads plan

The Madison County Board approved a package of transportation actions that included a federal‑aid agreement for project HD‑C‑061 (an earmark for Bloomington Parkway), inclusion of county secondary roads in a joint SS4A safety grant application, and a revised county bridge‑posting list with amendments to the Secondary Roads five‑year program.

Staff opened the meeting by explaining that the county had secured a direct federal aid award (approximately $1.5 million was cited in early discussion) that requires matching funds and detailed reporting. Staff also told the board that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) had changed some closeout procedures, now asking for final signature from the board chair on final vouchers.

The board moved and seconded the HD‑C‑061 federal‑aid resolution and approved it on a voice vote. Members then approved two final payments for separate projects (one painting and one paving project), voted to include Secondary Roads in the joint SS4A safety grant, and adopted the revised bridge posting list dated Nov. 12 and the amended five‑year program.

County staff directed the board to the DOT’s interactive bridge map for tonnage and posting information and explained that a posted restriction does not necessarily indicate imminent structural failure; many county bridges were built in the mid‑20th century and are subject to posted weight limits to protect older structures. The board approved motions on each item by voice vote and asked staff to proceed with environmental and planning steps required under the federal agreements.