Bridge costs less than expected

Progress continues toward replacing a bridge that’s been closed for eight years.

The Heiney Road bridge over the west fork of the Whitewater River was closed because the deck could not be repaired. The Indiana Department of Transportation received five bids for the project that ranged from $1,770,000 to $2,412,950. Brumbaugh Construction of Arcanum, Ohio, received the contract with the $1,770,000 bid, which was $182,840 lower than the engineer’s estimate of $1,952,840.

During 2020, INDOT committed about $1.1 million for the replacement, leaving the county’s share at $626,000. INDOT’s commitment was 80% of the estimated cost at that time; however, the estimate rose this year because construction costs have increased, leaving Wayne County paying about 36% of the expected cost. Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, told Wayne County’s commissioners during their Oct. 16 meeting that INDOT is evaluating whether it can now provide more funding as bids around the state are lower than expected.

Commissioners during their morning meeting and Wayne County Council during that evening’s workshop approved a transfer of $300,000 from the Richmond Avenue bridge fund to the Heiney Road bridge fund to ensure the cost is covered. The Richmond Avenue project will not be let for bid in December as planned.

Heiney Road is a mile-long road between Treaty Line and Brick Church roads south of Hagerstown.

Commissioners also approved the county’s $5,406 share of the $27,030 cost for a right-of-way study for a bridge project on Mulberry Street in Cambridge City.

WUR relationship

Wayne County members of the Wayne Union Recycling board are evaluating the partnership among Wayne County, Union County and Richmond Sanitary District.

RSD has the only landfill in the two counties and is working to increase recycling throughout Wayne County to divert more trash from the landfill. That would include more curbside pickup. Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said WUR’s promotion of recycling has not been cost-effective because of the lack of curbside recycling.

Wayne County has continued interest in working with Union County; however, it’s reviewing options about how best to do that. Commissioners will eventually receive a recommendation from the board members.

Opioid settlement

Meridian requested commissioners’ permission to use the $50,000 it was awarded from opioid settlement money on outpatient treatment for mothers and infants.

The proposal that received funding was for a residential program; however, Meridian has struggled to find and acquire real estate for the residence, said Commissioner Mary Anne Butters, who has visited the Meridian program. She said the goals commissioners desired to meet with the funding are being met through the outpatient program.

Commissioners unanimously approved Meridian’s request.

Cabling proposals

Four companies responded to the county’s request for proposals to provide new cabling to each employee work station for computers and telephone uses.

Commissioners opened proposals from AKA Comp Solutions, Northern AV Group, Cummins Electric Inc. and C-Cat Inc., then voted to take them under consideration.