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Elkhart County advances multiple highway projects after bids opened for Bridge 253 and paving program awarded

Elkhart County Board of Commissioners (and Stormwater/Soil & Water follow-up) · March 24, 2026

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Summary

County highway staff opened bids for Bridge 253 and the board approved posting notices for routine contracts; commissioners awarded the 2026-1 paving program to Reeth Riley and approved INDOT LPA/Community Crossings paperwork including a $1,000,000 match. Staff will return with final recommendations on Bridge 253 bids.

County highway staff told commissioners on March 23 that three bids were received for rehabilitation of Bridge 253 (County Road 1 over Bible Creek). Kyle Wagner of the Elkhart County Highway Department said the bids were La Porte Construction Co. for $500,000.00, Reeth Riley Construction Co. for $599,000.00 and Milestone Contractors for $452,498.40. Commissioners voted to allow staff to review the bids and return with a recommendation.

Wagner also described several routine 2026 programs. The board approved posting notices to bidders for the bridge-deck sealing program (sandblasting and resealing concrete bridge decks) and the county’s annual wedging program (fill and chip-seal). Each motion carried unanimously.

The board moved to award the 2026-1 paving contract to Reeth Riley, identified in staff materials as the lowest responsive bidder for that paving package at $2,897,420.38. Commissioners approved the agreement, a required performance bond and related INDOT LPA/Community Crossings documents. County staff noted a $1,000,000 award that will match roughly half of the paving program cost; the board approved executing the LPA contract via DocuSign and re-approved the paving agreement and bond after clarifying which items corresponded to which agenda letter. All votes on these highway items were unanimous.

What happens next: highway staff will complete review of Bridge 253 bids and return to the board with a formal recommendation. The county will proceed with contracting and bonding steps for the paving program under the INDOT LPA/Community Crossings framework.

Attribution whitelist: Kyle Wagner, Highway Department (presenter); commissioners (motions and votes).