Bridges on county to-do list for commissioners

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Bridges have been on the minds of the Putnam County Commissioners for some time, and they recently heard an update on the long drawn-out Bridge159 project at Reelsville.

Commissioners Gene Beck, Kristina Warren and Jim Baird recently saw final plans for the rehabilitation of old Bridge 159 presented by engineer Steve Luther of Beam Longest and Neff, and learned the project could go out for bid in late summer or early fall, with construction to start in the fall. The project preserves a bridge that has been deemed historic due to its construction. But its poor condition will result in 75 percent of the project being new construction to look like the old bridge.

The project is estimated to cost around $1 million, and the bridge will be open only to foot traffic.

Meanwhile, the commissioners noted that the Crowe's iron bridge northeast of Greencastle is closed due to damage it sustained in a recent accident.

The county has already had to close the Pinhook Iron Bridge this year, due to its deteriorated condition. The Houck Iron Bridge north of Greencastle is also closed due to its condition, and a replacement project is in the design stages.

In other business, the commissioners:

  • Agreed to meet with state highway and natural resources officials to discuss the Dunbar Bridge project that is now being considered by the state for additional funding. The county has looked at bypassing the historic covered bridge, and reconstructing the road running to a new structure spanning Big Walnut Creek.

  • Reviewed the time frames for the replacement projects at Bridge 146 (the old Houck iron bridge) and Bridge 10 in Russell Township.

  • Approved the annual financial report for the county highway department to be submitted to the State of Indiana for review.

  • Tabled a decision on truck bids for the highway department pending review and comparison of the bid packages.

  • Signed resolutions approving the single-lot subdivision of Clark-Harris in Washington Township to divide 10 acres into a residential lot, and the Rock Branch Subdivision in Jackson township to divide 10 acres into a residential lot.

  • Saw that the boiler in the courthouse had passed inspection recently.

  • Received a copy of a job description for a building maintenance superintendent for the county building department. The person hired would be responsible for general physical mainteance and upkeep for the interior and exterior of county buildings only.

  • Signed the grant agreement for the Community Corrections program through the Department of Correction for $150,295 for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

  • Learned an open house for the Community Corrections offices is set for July 19 at 20 W. Washington St. The offices have moved out the courthouse, and soon the GRASP program for juveniles will be moved out the courthouse annex.

  • The new EOC building will have an address of 1600 W. CR 225 South.

  • Reviewed a water connection and consent to annexation agreement from the City of Greencastle to run city water service to the EOC and county highway garage property. They also reviewed a sewer connection and consent to annexation agreement for the city for the EOC only. Those agreements are needed by the city's Board of Works for the utilities.

  • Met with representatives from Cinergy Metronet about the installation of a new phone system in the courthouse. The commissioners are considering a contract for the project, but agreed to table the issue until June 18.

    The next regular public meeting of the commissioners is set for 6 p.m.Monday, June 4 at the courthouse annex, 209 W. Liberty St., Greencastle.

    The commissioners regularly meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month.

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