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Highway department reports on bridge projects, EMS parking lot and approves fiber install with Great Plains
Summary
Ripley County highway staff reported progress on bridge work, an EMS parking lot and an ownership question over Bridge 180; commissioners approved adding the highway office to the county phone system and a free fiber install by Great Plains to enable financial system access.
Jason Edwards, representing Ripley County highway operations, updated commissioners March 2 on multiple highway projects and infrastructure items.
Edwards said crews performed winter-weather operations and are preparing an EMS parking lot; staff expect the parking lot surface to settle and be completed in about two weeks. He reported invoices for Bridge 9 (survey, appraisals, drone footage) will be submitted for reappropriation from the bridge fund to start procurement this year with payment to occur next year when work is budgeted.
Edwards also said Bridge 180 (on 25 East) has competing ownership feedback: county records and CSX communications both suggest differing claims; staff are investigating historic minutes and right-of-way records and will notify affected landowners as part of any acquisition or repair process.
Separately, county IT/administration staff explained that the highway office can be connected to the county phone system by switching internet service from Comcast to Great Plains, which will install fiber at no cost; the change would increase monthly fees by roughly $10 but allow county financial staff to access billing systems without traveling to the annex. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the Great Plains installation and phone-system change.
Commissioners asked staff to provide timing, any required contracts for right-of-way work and reappropriation paperwork for Bridge 9 at the next bills/reappropriation cycle.
