Dubois County approves 2026 highway material bids; officials report bridge progress and closures

Dubois County Commissioners on Dec. 1 approved the county’s 2026 highway materials and supplies bid recommendations and received progress reports on multiple bridge projects.

Highway Engineer Levi Leffert presented the annual materials/supplies bids for 2026 (pipes, geotextile, ready‑mix concrete, bituminous products, hot and cold mixes, quarry stone and stockpile/spread services), reviewed bidder terms and escalation clauses, and the board voted to approve the recommendations unanimously.

Leffert updated commissioners on Bridge 21 (200 W over Little Creek), reporting the concrete deck was poured Nov. 26 with insulation measures taken; asphalt paving and guardrail installation are planned next week and the roadway was anticipated to reopen late the following week pending concrete cylinder breaks and weather. He also said Bridge 116 (CR 820 E north of Schellville Road) will close Dec. 8 for superstructure replacement; an advanced closure notice and a paved detour (175 S and 1025 E) will add about 3.3 miles and four minutes to trips. Bridge 78 (CR 600 W over the Patoka River) rehabilitation plans and contract documents are 95% complete, with advertising and bidding planned in late December/January and construction in spring/summer 2026 involving a full closure of approximately 1.5–2 months.

Superintendent Donnie Lueken reported routine items including sanitation site holiday hours, a $200 transfer of appropriations (approved unanimously) and a one‑year extension of the Pine Ridge dumpster site lease (approved unanimously). The board also accepted the small‑structure inspection Phase 1 report covering 106 structures, which aides budget planning.

The material bid approval and project updates were recorded without dissent. Commissioners and staff said project timing remains contingent on weather, material testing and bid outcomes.