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St. Joseph County seeks federal aid, advances three bridge projects and related road actions
Summary
County staff requested and the board approved a federal-aid application for the Bowman Creek bridge (estimated $2.5 million, 80% federal/20% local match), authorized advertising for bids on two other bridge projects (Mayflower and Main Street), approved a $95,313.36 change order for a lift-station project, and approved a $65,000 settlement for Pierce Road right-of-way.
St. Joseph County moved forward on multiple infrastructure projects during its Nov. 6 meeting, approving a federal-aid application for a bridge replacement and authorizing several bid advertisements and project-related actions.
Skye Meaders of the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Growth told commissioners the county will seek federal aid through MACOG to replace the South Main Street bridge over Bowman Creek. Meaders said the total project is "estimated to be about 2,500,000," with roughly "80% covered by federal money and 20% match from the county." She noted the county is using American Rescue Plan funds for the county match on design work and that those funds "have to be ... spent by the end of 2026." Meaders said MACOG would review applications in December and make awards in January.
The board approved the Bowman Creek federal-aid application by unanimous vote.
Meaders also requested and received approval to advertise for bids on the Mayflower Road over Ardmore Trail rehabilitation project (estimated at about $2,500,000) and a separate Main Street bridge over the Indiana Toll Road (estimated about $2,700,000). She said advertising is scheduled for November with bid openings in December and that coordinating construction timing with nearby railroad bridge work should save costs. Commissioners asked about detours and traffic impacts; Meaders said there will be periods of closure and local detours while work occurs.
Separately, the board approved change order No. 1 on the State Road 2 lift station, force main and water main project to purchase diesel generators and automatic switches, increasing the project cost by $95,313.36. Meaders recommended approval, and the motion carried unanimously.
Meaders described a negotiated settlement with a homeowner on Pierce Road for right-of-way needed for a widening project: the county will purchase roughly 0.5 acre of permanent right-of-way and about 0.02 acres of temporary right-of-way for $65,000, avoiding condemnation proceedings. The board approved the agreed findings and judgment and the settlement by unanimous vote.
The projects are funded from a mix of federal aid (pending MACOG awards), the county bridge funds and encumbered American Rescue Plan-design funds for the Bowman Creek design work. County staff said the Mayflower and Main Street projects are coordinated with municipal partners for traffic maintenance during construction. No public comment was recorded on these agenda items during the meeting.
