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Road ratings dip after rough winter; county secures Community Crossings funding and flags CDL staffing concerns
Summary
County pavement ratings fell slightly after a hard winter; staff reported a Community Crossings grant award after INDOT reallocated unspent funds and urged the council to consider highway wage adjustments to retain CDL drivers crucial for maintenance and emergency response.
Noble County highway staff presented the county’s 2026 pavement evaluation at the June 1 meeting, reporting modest declines in overall, primary and residential road ratings attributed to an unusually damaging winter and a backlog of projects. The county average rating fell to 86.64 and staff said they plan a mix of in‑house preservation, subdivision work and targeted reconstructions.
The roads presentation included an update on Community Crossings funding. Staff said INDOT reallocated underbid funds from a prior award and the county received an award after submitting competitive bids. "We got our million dollar farming award a couple days after we had good bids in the end," the highway official said, adding that the county removed contingency from bid tabulations to maximize grant usage and that Old State Road 3 work is contracted and underway.
Highway staff also urged the council to address recruitment and retention for CDL drivers, saying qualified candidates have declined job offers and existing employees are leaving for higher‑paying roles. The official described operational risks if vacancies persist: extended vacancies, reduced service levels, delayed emergency response, greater reliance on overtime or outside contractors and possible public safety impacts during snow, flooding or other incidents. Council members discussed wage options and whether to include highway wage increases in the upcoming budget.
The council asked for a fuller road program at a future meeting and acknowledged previous investments had improved conditions over time. Staff noted 10+ years of GIS and condition data to guide prioritization.
