County engineer seeks Council backing for Bridge 78 rehabilitation and federal grant application

County Highway Engineer Brent Wendholt told the Dubois County Commissioners on Nov. 18 that he will appear before the County Council to seek funding for design work on Bridge 78 (600 West and Division Road) and pursue federal safety dollars to help cover construction costs.

Wendholt presented a $500 proposal from Lochmueller Group to assist with preparing an application to the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program for bridge railing safety improvements. The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously and Wendholt said he will obtain a Financial Commitment Letter from the board and also seek one from County Council, noting that Cumulative Bridge and LIT‑Ed funds could be used for the county’s portion of the project.

Wendholt told the board he has identified roughly 60 bridges countywide that could be considered under the federal program if the application is successful. He said the next step is a Council discussion about design‑phase funding; following a consensus there, he will seek appropriations for design and proceed with procurement for design services.

The action taken at the meeting was limited to approving Lochmueller Group’s application‑assistance agreement and signing a Financial Commitment Letter for the design phase. No construction funding was approved at the meeting, and commissioners did not vote on any construction contract. Wendholt also noted the county received eight Letters of Intent for NBIS bridge inspection services and will score those submissions with highway staff.