Starke County Highway Department Reviewing Bridge Inspection Bids

The Starke County Highway Department has been busy with a number of projects, according to Superintendent Rik Ritzler. Ritzler informed the county commissioners at their meeting this week that his department has received five bid submissions for bridge inspections and one bid for bridge design and presented them to the commissioners. He said he will review the bids and rate them for their approval at the next meeting.

Ritzler also informed the commissioners that he has sent out requests for proposals for four bridges using local funds. The bridges are located on county roads 800 East, 900 South, 50 East and 450 South, with a deadline for proposals of Jan. 1.

In addition, Ritzler said his department has converted an old ambulance into a mobile sign shop to be used to replace signs whenever necessary, saving crews from having to create the signs at the department. With the mobile sign vehicle, the workers can craft the signs at the location and replace them immediately.

Finally, he said the department is also converting a truck to be used as a bridge maintenance vehicle, allowing the department to more easily maintain bridges in the county.