Firm hired to study road flooding (2/15/05)

An effort to keep open a route in and out of a flood-plagued Jay County community is moving forward.

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to hire an Indianapolis engineering/consulting firm to research ways to improve access to New Corydon during times of flooding along the Wabash River.

The study, which will include a survey and a hydraulic analysis, will cost $12,000. That money will be paid from the cumulative bridge fund.

“We’re looking at several options,” Jay County engineer Dan Watson said this morning. “People are concerned about the south approach (to a bridge that carries county road 750 East over the Wabash), but 75 percent of the over-road flow is north of the bridge. The (water flow) information we have is kind of outdated. I think there’s been some changes in the hydraulics over the years ... at Grand Lake (St. Marys, between Celina and St. Marys, Ohio).”

Residents of the New Corydon area have approached Watson, requesting that something be done to keep county road 750 East open to passenger vehicles during flood conditions.

Often during times of high water, only large trucks or tractors are able to drive through water across county road 750 East.

But Watson said last month that he is concerned that one solution suggested by residents — raising county road 750 East — could actually divert more water into New Corydon.

Also Monday, Commissioners Faron Parr, Gary Theurer and Milo Miller Jr. opened bids to replace a bridge in southeast Bearcreek Township.

Jay County Bridge 57, which carries county road 500 North over Limberlost Creek between county roads 350 and 450 East, is approximately 86 feet, with three spans.

Baker & Shultz Inc. of Decatur submitted a bid of $278,596.51 for the project — the lowest of three opened Monday by the commissioners.

The commissioners tabled the matter and asked Watson to review all bids to make sure they meet project specifications. Watson is expected to make a recommendation at the commissioners’ next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

The commissioners usually meet on Monday, but the Jay County Courthouse will be closed Monday, Feb. 21 in observance of Presidents Day.

Also submitting bids were Jutte Excavating of Fort Recovery, $302,350.14; and Primco of Fort Wayne, $306,721.66.

The replacement project will begin in the spring, possibly as early as April, Watson said Monday. Once started, it should be completed in two months or less, he said.

The engineer’s estimate for the bridge replacement was $323,603.

Also Monday, a Penn Township resident asked when a 1.25-mile stretch of county road 550 North between Ind. 1 and county road 1025 West will be re-paved.

Craig Miller said the road was scheduled to be worked on last fall but could not be completed before weather conditions stopped paving projects.

The commissioners didn’t have an answer for Miller, but Watson and county highway superintendent Ken Wellman said this morning that the county road 550 North paving will be among the first completed this year — possibly by May.

“It’ll be one of the first ... it will be done ... sometime in May,” Watson said this morning.

Also Monday, the commissioners gave permission for the federal Small Business Administration to use a room in the courthouse to assist local business owners with assistance related to the ice storm in January.

The SBA will use the same room currently being used by representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the first floor of the courthouse, just inside the south door.[[In-content Ad]]