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Whitley County board authorizes brush clearing agreement with railroad for Columbia City drain
Summary
The board voted to authorize the board president to sign a right‑of‑entry agreement allowing the railroad to clear brush near the Columbia City drain as a preparatory step for later tile replacement work.
The county engineer told the board that railroad agreement language would allow the county to clear brush in the railroad right‑of‑way as a limited right‑of‑entry, separate from the larger tile replacement project. "We can do the brush clearing separately as just a right of entry agreement and not have to go through engineering," the engineer said.
Board members moved and seconded a motion to authorize the board president to sign the right‑of‑entry so contractors can remove cottonwoods and scrub brush and prepare for future tile replacement. The measure passed by voice vote.
Staff said the work window will be short once the railroad sets a date and that a contractor with the railroad‑required insurance will be needed. Staff estimated the clearing area in the right‑of‑way to be roughly 100 ft wide with an approximate 150 ft railroad right‑of‑way, and said the county will coordinate scheduling with the railroad and bidders.
The board did not vote on tile replacement funding at this meeting; the cleared brush will precede any engineering contract for tile work.
