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Commissioners weigh Bloomingdale slab estimate, bridge inspection billing and highway updates
Summary
Parke County commissioners reviewed a $39,640 estimate to replace a failing slab on Hilltop Road near Bloomingdale and questioned an approximately $27,000 separate dive‑inspection bill on another bridge — funding and contract clarity were left for follow‑up.
Parke County commissioners discussed two infrastructure matters: a proposal to install precast concrete bridge decks and culverts on Hilltop Road in Bloomingdale, estimated at $39,640, and concerns about a roughly $27,000 additional bill related to specialized dive work on a bridge inspection.
Chair introduced an engineering estimate from county contractors for the Hilltop Road site that would reuse precast bridge deck panels the county supplies, install six 12‑inch by 20‑foot culvert pipes provided by the county, place riprap and pour new footers and concrete; the document presented to the board listed the contractor’s cost at $39,640. The chair and commissioners discussed funding options: the county could proceed if funds were available or the work could be placed in the council’s budget for the next year. The board agreed it could approve the work contingent on council approval of funds and on contractor scheduling.
Separately, commissioners questioned why an inspection contractor billed nearly $27,000 for dive‑related work and whether that expense should have been included in the inspector’s standard scope. The board noted that the contract in question had expired at the end of December and that other firms had submitted proposals; commissioners directed staff to follow up with the contractor (named in the meeting record) and to clarify which costs should be borne by the contractor versus the county.
Highway staff also reported operational updates: graders and new pickup trucks recently entered service, crews are patching roads and installing culverts, and training and bridge inspections are planned for the spring. Commissioners asked staff to prioritize bridges needing immediate attention and to return cost clarifications and contract status at a future meeting.
No final funding appropriation for the Bloomingdale slab or a contract decision on the dive work was made during this session; the board’s direction was to obtain funding confirmation from the council and to get billing/contract clarifications from staff.
