County Road 450 East has been a local topic of discussion recently, with the Starke County Commissioners discussing the roadway during their September 8th meeting. During that meeting, Commissioners discussed concerns about the road’s edges and width.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rachel Kinney, who was unable to attend the September 8th meeting, responded to Commissioners with a letter answering the questions and concerns that were raised at that meeting; and also shared that letter with WKVI to provide additional information on the subject.
Kinney’s letter states that work on County Road 450 East is not yet complete, and that additional work is still needed to address the unevenness, narrow appearance, and overall condition of the roadway. The letter states that the project is expected to be completed by September 18th.
According to Kinney, the road was paved with cold mix asphalt between three and four inches thick due to the gravel section of the road and the condition of the previously paved section. She said cold mix asphalt can take several weeks to months to fully set.
Work is also planned along the edges of the roadway, known as the berm. Kinney said asphalt will be used in some areas, while 53 stone or 73 stone will be used in others. She said that work has been delayed because the newly laid asphalt remains soft and semi traffic or heavy farm equipment could leave ruts in the roadway.
The letter also addressed concerns about the apparent width of the road, saying the roadway itself was not narrowed, but may appear narrower until the berm work is completed. She said bicyclists may experience a rougher ride until the asphalt finishes curing.
The letter shares that the highway department uses cold mix asphalt because of the cost difference compared with hot mix. Kinney said the department can complete between 15 and 20 miles of roadway using cold mix, compared with approximately four to five miles using hot mix with its available funding from Starke County Council.
Warning signs and a temporary speed limit sign have been installed to alert drivers to the road’s condition until the remaining work can be completed.
Kinney added that the unfinished edges are not expected to affect how the road holds up long-term.
