A deteriorating culvert on Range Road near 300 North could lead to a road closure as Starke County officials work to determine who is responsible for funding the repairs.
During Monday’s Starke County Council meeting, the Highway Department reported that the culvert is failing and needs to be replaced, preferably before winter. The culvert alone is estimated to cost more than $14,000, with labor bringing the total estimated project cost to approximately $20,000.
The culvert is located within the Bailey Cox Newtson Conservancy District. According to the Highway Department, the district has declined requests to contribute funding toward the replacement.
Council members expressed concerns about using county funds for the project, noting that property owners within the conservancy district already pay assessments for maintenance. Council members also discussed whether the district’s original agreement establishes responsibility for the culvert.
The Highway Department emphasized the public safety concerns associated with the deteriorating infrastructure and warned that Range Road between 250 North and 400 North may need to be closed if the culvert cannot be replaced.
During the discussion, council members reviewed portions of the conservancy district’s original watershed plan addressing maintenance responsibilities. However, questions remained about whether those provisions apply to this specific culvert.
The council voted to table the funding request while further discussions take place with conservancy district representatives. The council also plans to request that representatives attend its next meeting to discuss the issue with councilors directly.
