The Starke County Council members considered the the purchase of a radar counter for the Starke County Highway Department during their Monday night meeting.
Economic Development Foundation Director Charlie Weaver said the radar counter will be used to collect traffic data at a quicker speed for the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project.
“The beautiful part of this is isn’t hoses you run over,” said Weaver. “It’s a lot more accurate count. After they finish the count and maintain the count for the U.S. 30 project, there are other places in the county where they can use it. The state is going to require more and more supporting data behind what happens. This allows the county to do that.”
The counter is estimated to cost $3,235 and will be paid for out of the economic development portion of the County Economic Development Income Tax fund.
This new device will accompany another traffic counter already used by the department to gather information.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said the device will pay for itself in one project as it will greatly assist the crew with valued statistics. He said the crew knows how to use the equipment and Ritzler does the analysis.
The county council unanimously approved the request. The commissioners previously approved a recommendation for the purchase.
