The Starke County Commissioners will open bids this morning for work on three bridges and award at least one contract so work can begin immediately. A previously announced timeline for the emergency repair of the bridge over the Yellow River on County Road 700 East calls for construction to start tomorrow and conclude on Aug. 15. The road has been closed since a tree floating down the river struck the bridge supports this spring. The commissioners will also open bids for the replacement of the bridges on 900 south just west of 100 West over Bogus Run and on 800 East over Eagle Creek, just north of 50 South. No timeline was given for those repairs.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will also present specifications for two additional bridges and ask for consideration of a four-way stop, according to the advance agenda for today’s meeting. Other items include ordinance amendments for the Starke County Plan Commission, discussion of a county animal ordinance and a compliance report on the county landfill property.
Council President Dave Pearman will also present information to the commissioners about the possible expansion of advance life support service for Starke County EMS. Currently that service is only offered at the Knox base. County officials have talked about expanding it to North Judson and perhaps Grovertown but want to make sure it’s feasible in terms of cost. Pearman has been working with county EMS officials to crunch numbers.
