Boone County commissioners approved a string of highway and infrastructure agreements at their Dec. 19 meeting, awarding construction and design contracts and accepting previously opened bids.

Highway Director Nick Parra recommended execution of a construction agreement for Bridge No. 158 (County Road 25 West/Pittsboro Blacktop) with Hoosier Pride Estimating as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for $676,835.23. The board moved and approved the construction agreement.

The board also approved replacement work for two small structures (JE‑001 and JE‑028) to Connexco with a not‑to‑exceed amount reported in the packet as $117,300 (paperwork showed $117,340). Commissioners accepted the annual material bids from the earlier bid opening and approved authorization for small‑structure design and other bridge design agreements, including a Bridge 28 design authorization of $86,080 and a Bridge 166 design agreement for $169,612. An INDOT reimbursement agreement for repairs to 500 North (reimbursement amount $163,186.91) was also approved.

Why it matters: These approvals move multiple projects into the construction and design phase, tapping local, state and possibly federal funds for infrastructure work. Several items referenced community crossing grant dollars and federal aid for construction phases; one design contract will be paid with 100% local dollars while construction may be funded with federal aid.

Next steps: Staff will execute contracts, sign necessary title/design pages, and proceed with construction procurement and scheduling as the agreements allow.