Starke County Projects Ready for Community Crossings Application

Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler submitted projects to the commissioners for the county’s request for the state’s Community Crossings grant program.

The county is eligible for a 75/25 split for grant funding. Ritzler submitted five projects totaling just under $1.4 million. At a meeting hosted by INDOT addressing Community Crossing grant funds earlier this year, officials suggested that government entities include project plans in the $1.3 to $1.4 million range in order to capture that full $1 million.

Ritzler will be requesting reimbursement for bridge replacement projects already complete. They include: Bridge No. 50 on County Road 1150 E. over Osborn Ditch south of State Road 10, Bridge No. 46 on County Road 900 E. over Osborn Ditch south of State Road 10, and Bridge No. 47 on County Road 625 S. over Osborn Ditch west of County Road 875 E.

Funding is requested for the replacement of Bridge No. 58 on County Road 800 South over Bogus Run east of County Road 200 W. According to Ritzler, the county’s match for the bridge would be paid of the CEDIT-county bridge line item in the budget. That payment may be made this year or in 2018.

The application will also include a hot mix asphalt resurfacing project on County Road 300 East from State Road 8 to 1100 ft. south of Division Road. The Stake County Economic Development Foundation will be providing the grant match for this project.

Ritzler said three other projects were added to the list as well.

“We are applying for three extra ones because in the past with these grant programs if some people don’t use their maximum grant sometimes they go back in and take projects so we’ve added three more projects,” said Ritzler. “If we get the first five projects, that will be great…anything more than that, even better. The best news is the first three bridges have already been paid for and we will get all of that money back. It will go right back in the CEDIT-bridges and go right back into the program and we’ll be ahead of the game. This may be the last year that’s allowed.”

Grant applications are due Friday, July 14.