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Dubois County seeks INDOT grants, plans ADA update and bridge safety work
Summary
County engineers told commissioners they will apply to the Indiana Department of Transportation for CCMG paving and federal bridge-safety funds, and asked for local financial commitments and appropriations to meet INDOT timelines; the Board approved the CCMG commitment and supported an ADA plan update.
Dubois County officials said Oct. 6 they will pursue state and federal transportation funds to speed paving and bridge safety upgrades and will update the county's ADA transition plan to remain eligible for those funds.
Highway Engineer Levi Leffert told the Board he will submit a CCMG (Community Crossings Matching Grant) application to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to pave up to three roads, estimating total project costs of $1,391,843.55. INDOT will fund a maximum of $1,000,000; the county must provide at least a 20% match (an estimated $391,843.55), with final amounts dependent on bid results. The Board unanimously approved a financial commitment letter required for the CCMG application.
Leffert also said INDOT will open a federal call for bridge-safety funds in November 2025 for rail/guardrail and end-treatment work. He estimated the work could bring 50–60 bridges up to current safety standards and outlined preliminary county-year-by-year cost amounts for preliminary engineering, construction and inspection. He plans to use Cum Bridge funds for the local match and will ask the County Council to appropriate materials and tools funding as needed.
Because INDOT has shortened contracting timelines, Leffert requested the Board's support to make projects shovel-ready once awards are announced; he said he may ask the County Council for additional appropriations immediately after awards. The Board also reviewed a preliminary consultant estimate of $35,000–$45,000 from Lochmueller Group to update the county's ADA transition plan; the Board supported requesting an additional $50,000 from the General Fund for the update, with excess to be used on ADA infrastructure.
If awarded and matched, the CCMG and bridge grants will proceed to the standard bidding and contracting process; Leffert said failure to reach contract stage promptly could result in funds reallocated to other local public agencies.
