Commissioners back highway work, approve guardrail grant and Frontier road bond request

Dubois County Commissioners on July 20 reviewed multiple highway projects and signaled support for near‑term pavement, bridge and safety work while advancing funding requests tied to broadband and guardrail improvements. Highway Engineer Levi Leffert reported Calcar completed paving on Newton Street and Mendel Lane and said shoulder stone and paint markings remain to be installed.

Leffert told the board that Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will close the SR 162/SR 64 intersection from July 30 at 8:00 p.m. until Aug. 4 at 5:00 a.m. for roundabout work, and he summarized a state update on gas tax reimbursement timing, saying the first reimbursement for the April 8–May 31 period will be presented to the State Board of Finance on July 21 and that reimbursements are expected to be complete by Nov. 1. He also said Frontier’s fiber project encompasses 19.80 miles in county jurisdiction and, following INDOT broadband permit guidelines, the county will request a road bond of approximately $198,043.56 ($10,000 per mile).

The board approved an INDOT/LPA boilerplate agreement to cover 90% of preliminary engineering funds for a guardrail safety improvement project — a package Leffert said totals $880,380 — and authorized Leffert to sign electronically on behalf of the county. The board also accepted a change order for Bridge 78 with a net decrease of $15,200.05 and was informed about load postings and recent bridge reopenings; Bridge 36 reopened July 9 but will keep 20‑ton limit signs until a consultant completes an updated load analysis.