Two applications were recently submitted in Starke County’s road conversion program.
Starke County Highway Department Office Manager Mary Perren told the commissioners last week that the 2021 application process will continue through June of 2020. The applications will be reviewed and then scored for consideration. Any action would take place in 2021.
A Road Conversion Policy was approved by the commissioners in November. Under the policy, requests can be submitted to the Starke County Highway Department to convert a gravel road to a double chip seal road. In order for that process to move forward, the highway department will consider several elements before approval. A road conversion scoring system would include the cost of the request, traffic volumes, a description of the road, thoroughfare plan classification, connectivity, public support, available right-of-way and the willingness of residents to dedicate right-of-way, and the road’s proximity to state roads.
Application and instructions can be obtained at the highway department during business hours. They may also be mailed to any resident.
