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Austin County approves road‑use agreements and $2.5M bonds for pipeline contractors
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Summary
Commissioners accepted road‑use agreements and bonds worth $2.5 million per contractor (Troy Construction and MPG) for Blackfin Pipeline work, added several county roads to the exhibit list, and directed contractors to provide videotape evidence and a county point of contact for damage reporting.
Austin County Commissioners on Oct. 28 approved road‑use agreements and bonds to cover potential damage from pipeline construction work related to Blackfin Pipeline and associated contractors.
The court accepted two separate $2,500,000 bond packages: one listing roads for Troy Construction LLC and Blackfin Pipeline and a second from MPG pipeline contractors that added Shafter property/road. Commissioners amended the packet during the meeting to add roads including Beckendorf Road, Meyer Road, Kulo Road, Jollaway Road, Old Columbus Road North and South, and Plum Creek Road, and directed contractors to provide a typed, updated spreadsheet for the court record.
County staff and contractor representatives discussed pre‑construction documentation. County staff said a GoPro/drone videotape exists for many roads and asked contractors to collect consistent pre‑work footage to resolve future damage disputes. Jonathan Hopko, the county engineer named in the meeting, was designated as a point of contact for contractors and landowners to report issues.
Commissioners emphasized the importance of clearly itemized road exhibits attached to bond documents so the county can pursue bonding claims for damages if needed. The court approved both road‑use agreements as amended; motions passed unanimously.
Next steps: contractors will submit the updated road spreadsheet and video documentation to Austin County permits; the county will circulate contact information for on‑site inspectors and monitor construction activity.
