10 bridge projects estimated to cost $13.2M

Wayne County maintains 230 bridges that must safely carry traffic anywhere from 75 to 100 years.

Simple math shows that at least two or three bridges must be replaced or updated each year or the county risks quickly falling behind on needed work. The county has developed a bridge plan to keep pace with the daunting task, and Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, updated Wayne County Council members and commissioners on upcoming bridge projects and funding shortfalls during council’s March 5 meeting.

Sanders had already presented to commissioners details about upcoming projects financed with federal funds passed through the Indiana Department of Transportation. He provided the same presentation for council members about the five projects — which include six bridges — on Richmond Avenue, Waterfall Road, Bridge Avenue, Fountain City Pike and Mulberry Street.

Those projects are estimated to cost $10,830,425, with INDOT committing $6,445,440. That leaves Wayne County responsible for an estimated $4,384,985, about $2.7 million more than originally expected.

With federally funded projects, INDOT commits 80% of the initial project estimate; however, rising construction prices have inflated recent project estimates. INDOT said it could not commit extra funds, and that leaves the county covering the unexpected shortfall.

In addition, Sanders presented five other projects estimated to cost about $2,396,000. The county would apply to the state’s Community Crossings program for INDOT to supply half the necessary funds, leaving the county’s share at $1,198,000. However, current legislation being considered by Indiana’s legislature could change the Community Crossings program or its eligibility.

Those projects include Gravel Pit Road, Clyde Oler Road, Robinson Road, Mineral Springs Road and Watt Road, and would be completed between 2026 and 2030.

Sanders is investigating whether box culverts could replace the bridges on Mineral Springs and Watt roads. A bridge is 20 or more feet long, while shorter spans are culverts. The Mineral Springs and Watt bridges are just 21 feet long.

Installing a box culvert would be cheaper than replacing a bridge, and Wayne County’s highway department rents a crane and installs culverts without using a contractor. The culverts last as long as a bridge and require less maintenance, Sanders said.

Unless INDOT can provide more funding, which has happened for current work on Heiney and Sample road bridges, the county faces spending approximately $5.6 million of the $13.2 million total for the 10 planned projects.

Jail plan

Council members approved creating five temporary civilian corrections officer line items in the 2025 budget and funding three of them with $24,548 each.

The temporary positions are Sheriff Randy Retter’s plan to boost jail staff. Hiring corrections officers is easier than hiring sworn jail deputies, with experienced COs then becoming jail deputies. 

When there’s a jail deputy position available without a CO eligible for promotion, funds from the deputy position’s line item transfer to the temporary CO line item. The temporary CO line item remains funded until a CO is promoted to fill the open deputy position.

Other issues

• Auditor Mark Hoelscher provided packets to council members prior to work beginning on the 2026 budget. The information includes transfers and unexpended balances within departmental budgets to help council members adjust for 2026.
• Council approved a request to hire seven seasonal employees: five for the highway department, two for the treasurer’s department and two for the clerk’s office.
• Council approved increasing the Wayne Township chief deputy assessor’s pay to match updated pay rates for other county chief deputies. That increases the budgeted amount $5,924.16 to $66,823.89.