Harrison County engineer reports INDOT bid awards; commissioners authorize contract signings

County Engineer Kevin Russel updated the Harrison County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 about multiple transportation projects and requested delegated authority to execute construction contracts.

Russel told commissioners that INDOT opened bids Sept. 10 for the Old Highway 111 federal aid overlay project; the lowest bidder was E&B Paving at $1,310,000, which yields a county 20% match of $262,000. He also reported INDOT opened bids for Bridge #25 on Corydon New Middletown Road and the low bid was from Force Construction for $1,249,512, which yields a county 20% match of $249,902.40.

Russel asked the board to allow him to sign INDOT/LPA construction contracts for Bridge #6671 on Highway 337 and for the Corydon Ramsey Road/Pacer Drive flashing beacon project using DocuSign. Commissioners approved delegating signature authority to Russel so the county may execute required contract documents with INDOT and LPA partners.

The actions authorize county staff to proceed with federal-aid project contracting and to prepare the county’s match for each project. No contractor was formally awarded by the board for Bridge #6671 or the flashing beacon during the meeting; the board’s action authorized signature to allow the county engineer to finalize construction-phase contracts consistent with INDOT processes.

The commissioners also approved the county’s updated Title VI plan, which the county must maintain to remain eligible for federal grants. That approval preserves the county’s eligibility for federal funding for transportation projects.

The board did not debate alteration of match amounts during the meeting; match figures were presented by the engineer as the county’s 20% share of the identified low bids.