By HOLLY GASKILL
After establishing a donation fund in June, the Wells County Commissioners approved the first donation agreement for the Highway Department.
In the agreement, Kyle Lund, resident of 604N 500E in Markle, agreed to donate $17,000 to fund asphalt improvements to County Road 700 North starting at Marzane Road and going west. Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar told the commissioners Tuesday the department had hoped to complete the improvements, but did not have the budget to do so.
“Consider it an upgrade to the project,” Bonar said. “We were just sealing the entire stretch of the road. They wanted to contribute to make it asphalt pavement.”
These funds will enter the Highway Improvement Donation Fund, and will be returned should improvements not be completed.
Separately, County Engineer Nate Rumschlag said he and Bonar have recently fielded some complaints regarding the downslope off the edge of the stone shoulder. Rumschlag said the widening and leveling of the road has left some areas with an elevated shoulder. These complaints have generally come from farmers who have had issues with their equipment on the roadway.
Rumschlag stated that Bonar is coordinating with these farmers to address complaints and will work on problem areas in the coming weeks. He emphasized it was not an issue with the contractor but that the department would take note of the item for future projects.
“Overall, it was a success,” Rumschlag said. “We were ahead of schedule, and the total project remained under budget. I would encourage the public to contact our office with any questions or concerns.”
Other updates from the Highway Department were:
• The asphalt portion of CR 700N will be completed Thursday, and paving in Craigville along Market Street and part of CR 700E will be completed Friday. Bridge 147 has also been repaired.
• The four-year contract for bridge inspection totals $434,373, which Rumschlag noted was under initial estimates.
• The commissioners approved a Vision Zero policy statement, which is a requirement for federal funding guidelines. This policy predominantly outlines the department’s priority to protect the health and safety of the public through transportation systems.
holly@news-banner.com
