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Dubois County highway update: paving contracts, bridge closures, CenterPoint settlement and Crossvine Solar permit discussed
Summary
County highway leaders provided schedules for chip sealing and multiple bridge projects, approved signing a CenterPoint damage settlement for 11.613 acres, and discussed a Crossvine Solar right-of-way permit that would require roughly two weeks of daytime road closure.
The Dubois County Highway Department briefed commissioners on multiple road and bridge projects and won approval to sign a damage settlement with CenterPoint Energy at the May 18 meeting.
Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken told the board that chip seal patching is scheduled to begin the week of June 1, 2026, with patches taking about three to four weeks before crews move to chip seal overlays that could last roughly a month. Highway Engineer Levi Leffert said bids for six paving contracts (projects 26-02 through 26-07) were formally accepted and Bid Form 96 was signed.
Leffert updated the board on several bridge projects: Blankenberger Brothers, Inc. remains on schedule for Bridge 78 (CR 600 W over the Patoka River) with a concrete overlay pour planned; Bridge 107 and Bridge 240 had overlays poured in early May with asphalt approach work pending and target reopening in early June; Small Structure #16 work began May 6 with reopening anticipated within two weeks; and Bridge 36 on Celestine Road is planned to close around June 1 for approximately five weeks for beam replacement and a reinforced concrete deck. Leffert noted Bridge 36 is currently posted for 20 tons.
On property and utility matters, Lueken presented a damage settlement from CenterPoint Energy regarding 11.613 acres on SR 162; after review and presentation of photographs, "a motion was made to approve signing the settlement agreement, noting that no damage was made to the county’s real estate," the minutes state. Commissioner Blessinger signed the document and Auditor Sandra L. Morton attested to the signature.
Lueken also raised a right-of-way concern about yard signs, referencing Indiana Code 9-21-4-6, and said the Highway Department may pick up signs found in the right-of-way and hold them for two weeks before disposal. Regarding the Holland trash site, Mr. Collett requested $20,000 for the fenced area and drive or $25,000 to make the parcel rectangular; Lueken recommended the rectangular option "due to safety reasons and to have space should the department need to park machinery at the location," and the county attorney was asked to prepare a purchase agreement.
Leffert reviewed revised road-bore/cut permit applications from Crossvine Solar for utilities in the 500W right-of-way and described a proposed road closure of about two weeks from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily; the board discussed safety and closure options. Lueken also described two options discussed with the DNR and reclamation stakeholders for Shamrock Mine Road bonds and recommended that the reclamation group retain and stretch the bonds rather than relinquish them to the county; no formal action was taken on that matter.
The board did not record any dissent on the CenterPoint settlement approval or the paving-bid acceptances. Several items, including exact start dates for some closures and final terms for the Holland property purchase, were left for formal documentation or further attorney action.
