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Highway official says runaround road nearly complete; commissioners approve bridge-contract supplement
Summary
Daviess County highway staff reported progress on multiple road projects — including a nearly finished runaround road tied to bond release — sought federal bridge-inspection funding and the county approved a supplemental agreement for the countywide bridge inspection contract.
Daviess County commissioners heard a broad highway department update on March 10 that ranged from drainage work and equipment needs to project-specific funding and a supplemental contract for countywide bridge inspections.
Chris, the highway department’s lead on multiple projects, told the board the runaround road (ARO) tied to a bond release is "about 95% done" but that winter weather and recent rains delayed finishing work and the county will withhold bond release until the contractor is in substantial compliance. Commissioners noted the contractor also appears at least $10,000 behind on scheduled payments and discussed sending a formal notice to protect the county’s position.
Staff also reported a February 26 preliminary field check for a planned roundabout at Old U.S. 50 and County Road 150 West to identify needed utility relocations. Chris said the county must score LOIs for an LPA consulting contract to remain under contract with INDOT by Aug. 1 and that he has requested $10,192 in federal funds to cover most of the county’s $12,000 share for this year’s bridge-inspection expenses.
A supplemental agreement with SJCA to expand the countywide bridge-inspection contract (raising an earlier $403,000 figure toward about $433,000) was presented for approval. Commissioner Kidd moved to accept the SJCA contract; Commissioner Gayheart seconded and the board approved the supplemental agreement 3-0.
Other items discussed included a final billing from CSX related to the Montgomery bridge project (staff said a refund/deposit of $330,853.98 is expected but no check has been received), several claims from Brightspeed alleging utility damage (staff said Brightspeed must provide permits and required installation-depth documentation before any payment), and an unexpected auction opportunity to buy a used full-width (20-ft) chip spreader that could reduce maintenance issues caused by centerline seams.
Michael Dyer of ECS briefed the commissioners on radio and tower work needed to restore full countywide communications and GPS tracking for highway trucks; he said an executed lease from Skyway Towers and final engineering are outstanding but estimated tower work and system fixes could be complete in three to four weeks, weather permitting.
The highway update also covered staffing and program changes related to the building compliance role (currently handled in-house by highway staff, with plans to propose a shared FTE funded in part by a city payment previously provided to the county) and preliminary planning for a Montgomery Road buggy-lane federal grant and an April off-site meeting to solicit input from the Amish community along the corridor.
The board took no separate vote on most discussion items but approved the SJCA supplemental agreement by formal motion.
