By HOLLY GASKILL
Bids for construction projects on Bridge 85 and Bridge 170 have been awarded. Currently, there is no start date for either project, but are expected to finish by late spring of 2024.
Pioneer Associates was the lowest bidder at $236,511.20 for restoring Bridge 85, which carries Hoosier Highway over Rock Creek. The company has also recently completed a similar project for the county.
The lowest bid for the reconstruction of Bridge 170, however, was over initial estimates. Jutte Excavating was the lowest bid at $569,344, roughly $76,000 over the project estimate and $28,000 over the project budget. Bridge 170 is located on County Road 900 South, east of the county line.
County Engineer Nate Rumschlag told the Board of Commissioners Monday that this bid still fared quite compared to other project bids — three of which were above $800,000.
However, Rumschlag noted that possibly rising quotes are a cause for concern with the county’s future projects.
“Even with the grant money, it’s really going to cause us to bond,” Rumschlag said.
Outside of these projects, Rumschlag announced that Bridge 19, on 800E near 900S, is now open to traffic but has some remaining items to be finished.
holly@news-banner.com
