Commissioners approve bridge contract adjustments, financial commitment letter and radon mitigation at old courthouse

At its Nov. 19 meeting, the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners approved several infrastructure and facilities items including a supplemental engineering agreement for the Winberg Road Bridge, authorization to sign a financial commitment letter for Old State Road Bridge No. 1580 and a radon mitigation contract for the old courthouse.

On the Winberg Road Bridge (Bridge No. 2430), the board reviewed Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with Beam, Longus, and Neff LLC to account for relocating a sanitary sewer main; staff said the additional work would not exceed $31,000 and moved approval. The board approved the supplemental agreement.

The board also authorized staff to sign a financial commitment letter for Old State Road Bridge No. 1580 so the county could include the project in an INDOT federal-aid application before the Dec. 6 deadline. Staff estimated the project's total cost at about $3.25 million and said the county's share would be roughly $1 million, covering design, right-of-way and construction.

On the old courthouse, the superintendent of county buildings described Popham Construction's quote for radon mitigation work in the sub-basement and connecting tunnel. The base installation of a sub-membrane depressurization system and a sump pump was estimated at $55,000. An optional additional package to extend the vapor barrier up walls and add a soil gas mat was quoted at $8,800, which staff recommended, bringing the total proposed amount to $63,800. Superintendent Laura said the sub-basement had ankle-deep water after recent rain and recommended installing a soil gas mat under the vapor barrier and adding wall coverage to prevent punctures.

A commissioner moved to approve completing the full scope while contractors were on site, citing cost and disruption concerns if work had to be repeated. The motion to approve the radon mitigation work, including the additional option, passed.

Separately, the board approved a time-sensitive authorization to add Spectrum Business Voice Service lines for E911/computer services at 3500 North Harlan Avenue; staff said the lines must be ported by next month at $30 per month and funding was available in the budget.

Next steps: staff will finalize contracts and proceed with the bridge engineering coordination, INDOT application filing, and radon mitigation scheduling.