The Starke County Commissioners and Council both discussed applying for a Notice Of Funding Availability (NOFA) Grant during their recent meetings.
Starke County Interim Highway Superintendent Rachel Oesterreich announced if the county were to be awarded this grant, the funding would come from the Federal Bridge Program. It was noted the grant is in the amount of $3,025,000. Oesterreich stated the county has to put forth 25 percent of that amount and if awarded would assist the county in funding a complete reconstruction of Starke County Bridge 13 at 600 North over the Robbins Ditch.
Oesterreich said that Starke County Bridge 13 is in need of a complete reconstruction and has been given a rating of four out of nine. She went on to say if the bridge were to be given a lower number rating, it would be closed.
It was stated the county would be notified in February of 2024 if they have received the grant. A motion was made to approve the 25 percent of the grant in the amount of $605,000 from CEDIT. That motion was seconded and passed unanimously at both meetings. In a follow up interview, Oesterreich told WKVI News that money won’t be taken out of CEDIT until 2029.
