Cass County highway report

Highlights from a report to Cass County Commissioners by Highway Superintendent Steve Easley and project coordinator Jeff Smith:

• The bridge replacement project on Center Street near Royal Center is progressing. Bridge abutments were poured last week.

• The culvert project at 100E and 1100S is substantially complete and the road is open. Guardrail will be installed by the highway department. The road surface at the culvert is currently gravel. Pavement is expected to be placed next year.

• The culvert replacement at 1175S and 300E is under way. The culvert is assembled and demolition of the existing structure and installation of the new culvert is expected to be underway this week, weather permitting.

• Installation of railroad advance warning signs funded by a state railroad safety grant has been completed for this year. Application has been made for more railroad safety money for 2010.

• Striping of 10 county-maintained road segments has been completed for 2009 and 132,575 feet of paint striping was placed on more than 16 miles of roads.

• An application for just under $1.5 million in additional federal funding has been submitted for the Chase Road project. The awards are expected to be announced in February.

• County road 300S right-of-way acquisition is nearly complete. The project is on target for a March 2010 bid letting.

• Construction on the Hoosier Heartland segment near Clymers should begin soon. The contract has been let and includes provisions for winter construction. At a recent meeting Project Manager Jim Earl reiterated that the project is fully funded and is on schedule. Land acquisition should be under way on all segments by the spring of 2010 and be done by summer of 2011.

• Traffic counts and studies are being conducted at various locations around the county.

• Smith attended the Indiana Association of County Commissioners annual conference in Indianapolis last week. Funding for road maintenance and projects continues to be a hot topic. The message relayed once again is to have projects that can be ready to go on a short notice. There is talk of another possible stimulus or “jobs” package which could result in extra federal money being available for highway projects.

• Funding for 2010 and 2011 may be significantly less than what the highway department has received in previous years. This reinforces the need for the department to review the current five-year road maintenance plan and make the necessary adjustments to reflect this reality. The review process is under way. The preliminary data and estimated costs for the commissioners review is expected by early 2010. Easley said they need to continue to be aggressive in applying for grants and assistance from other revenue streams.

• Easley encourages the public to visit the highway department’s Web page on the Cass County Web site at www.co.cass.in.us. Information on the site is continually updated with road delays, special notices, project updates, department news and priority road designations.

• Paul Weaver will be retiring at the end of December after 23 years of service. Easley thanked Weaver for his years of service to the Cass County Highway Department and wished him well as he begins his retirement in January.

• With Weaver’s retirement and the addition of new personnel since the last winter season, the driver assignments were realigned. There are now 18 territories plus the areas that will be handled by pick-up trucks. The new employee has reviewed his route for removal patterns, turnarounds and landmarks.

• This week, Easley was to meet with emergency commications Director Lori Forrer, Cass County Sheriff Gene Isaacs and EMA Director Alvin Beckman to review department plans for any potential joint efforts in preparing for the winter weather season. Easley is also to speak with 9-1-1 dispatchers to review guidelines on communicating with the highway department.

• A draft of the report on the highway department’s tank closure activity that is due to IDEM before Dec. 18 has been received from Earth Exploration. The report will be reviewed and any necessary changes will be made. A final report will then be submit prior to the deadline. The review by IDEM may take up to six months to complete.

• From April 1 to Nov. 10, the highway department assisted Randall Miller & Associates with the completion of 54 survey locations throughout the county. A bill has been submitted for costs of this activity. Easley expected full reimbursement. Work will continue as weather and availability of resources permit.

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