Commissioners approve consultant picks for Pierce Road reconstruction and Douglas Road roundabout

St. Joseph County commissioners voted to approve consultant selections for two federally funded road projects, clearing the way for contract negotiations and next steps in construction engineering.

Scott Meaders of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Growth told the board the Pierce Road project (US 31 to Juniper Road) received five quote packages under INDOT federal-aid procedures and that the Lochmuller Group was selected to perform construction engineering. "Through that process, the Lochmuller Group was selected as the consultant to perform that construction engineering," Meaders said, asking the board to authorize negotiations.

Meaders also reported on a separate federally funded project: a roundabout at the Douglas Road and Bittersweet intersection. After soliciting qualifications and evaluating scores, he said DLZ Indiana was chosen for construction engineering on that job and recommended moving forward with negotiation and award.

Commissioners had no substantive questions about the procurement process and approved motions to proceed by voice vote.

Why it matters: Both projects are part of the county's capital work to improve traffic flow and safety on key corridors. Selecting consultants begins the steps toward design completion and construction bidding; using the federal-aid process means state and federal rules guide procurement and contracting.

What comes next: Staff will negotiate agreements with the selected firms and return to the board for final approval of contracts and any specific funding actions required.