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Elkhart County approves interlocal paving deals with Goshen, awards wedging contract and signs INDOT detour understanding
Summary
The board approved interlocal paving agreements with Goshen for County Road 40 and County Road 17, awarded the 2026 wedging contract to Reith Riley Construction, and approved an INDOT letter of understanding for an unofficial detour during US-6 reconstruction (April 1, 2027–June 1, 2029).
The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners on May 4 approved multiple transportation and contracting items intended to keep local roads maintained and to coordinate with the city of Goshen and INDOT.
County Attorney Steve Olson presented two interlocal agreements with the City of Goshen. The first covers a mill-and-overlay of County Road 40 from Deardorff Road to U.S. 33 with an original preliminary cost estimate of $294,144.75; the cost allocation is 48% city / 52% county, with the county serving as lead agency. The board approved that agreement unanimously. Olson described the second interlocal deal to mill and overlay County Road 17 from County Road 28 (Peddlers Village Road) south to County Road 30 (Bashor Road). The preliminary cost estimate for that project was $1,840,501.52; the share is 25% city / 75% county and the project is locally funded with no federal or state participation. The board approved the County Road 17 agreement unanimously.
On highway contracting, Chris Kaufmann of the Highway Department recommended awarding the 2026 wedging program to low bidder Reith Riley Construction for $1,137,475.78 after evaluating multiple bids. Kaufmann confirmed Reith Riley was the low bid and recommended the award; the commissioners approved the award and the related contract, performance, and payment bond unanimously.
County staff also recommended approving an unofficial detour letter of understanding with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) for the US-6 reconstruction from Bremen to Nappanee. INDOT proposed the unofficial detour using County Road 100, County Road 52, and County Road 101 during construction; the work is scheduled to begin April 1, 2027, with an estimated completion date of June 1, 2029. INDOT agreed to reimburse Elkhart County for preapproved damage repairs to county roads when approved prior to completion of work. Commissioners approved the detour understanding unanimously.
All of the described votes were approved without recorded opposition. Staff said ownership and long-term maintenance would follow jurisdictional boundaries and that the interlocal agreements are intended to create cost efficiencies for county taxpayers.
