
Hamlet officials hope a U.S. 30 construction project will wrap up soon. Following a spike in accidents, Town Council President Dave Kesvormas urged INDOT to address safety concerns in the work zone.

Hamlet officials are demanding answers from INDOT, after a U.S. 30 construction project has led to a spike in accidents. During Wednesday’s town council meeting, Council President Dave Kesvormas complained that the town wasn’t told about the work ahead of time. “Legally, technically, U.S. 30 goes through town because that parcel on the northeast side of 30 is our parcel, so 30 goes through,” he explained. “The state didn’t contact us, nor did the contractor, and yet, we’ve had all these series of accidents.”
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners this week that he submitted four projects for consideration for the fall Community Crossings grant round.
With the Election Day just around the corner, you can’t drive far without spotting campaign signs of various sizes and colors speckling front yards and lining the roadways.
While it’s understandable that candidates want to get their name out there, there are a few things they must keep in mind when it comes to placement. Continue reading
Knox Street Superintendent Jeff Borg told the Knox Board of Works members on Wednesday morning that applications have been submitted to INDOT for consideration for the 2018 fall Community Crossings call for projects.
Several projects are being considered by the Starke County Highway Department for consideration for INDOT’s Community Crossings grant program.
The Town of Culver is awaiting grant funds to begin two major projects outlined in the town’s Stellar Communities Designation Program plans.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler has several projects on tap to include in the first round of INDOT’s Community Crossings grant application.
A proposal for engineering services for the INDOT related projects within the Town of Culver’s Stellar Communities Designation Program plans is still anticipated.
Starting today, Culver residents and commuters should be prepared for an ongoing road closure on State Road 17.
The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that State Road 17 in Marshall County will be closed between State Road 8 and State Road 10 as crews perform chip sealing operations. The work will begin today and that section of road is expected to reopen by the end of the day on Friday, June 22. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler is working on applications for the 2018 Community Crossings program.
He told the Starke County Commissioners last week that the applications may be turned in starting Monday, Aug. 6. The Bridge #154 replacement project will be among the projects included along with several others, according to Ritzler.
“We’re going to do the intersection improvement at Bass Lake County Road 210 and old State Road 10/600 South,” said Ritzler. “We’re going to make that a safer intersection. We’re going to make that a T-intersection and make a continuous loop around the lake. We also won’t allow trucks once that becomes a T-intersection. We’re going to do five miles of hot mix roads. I’m doing a list now. We’re doing traffic counts and accident counts right now. We’ll have that for you next month.”
A fourth project will also be included, although Ritzler said it may be outside of what would be awarded.
“It’s always good to put a few more applications in. We’re putting in a bridge rehab project on Bridge #137. That’s the one on 300 E. in the industrial park. It needs some work so we’re going to include that.”
The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 28.
Ritzler noted that beginning in January, INDOT will award projects twice a year with applications due in January and July.
The three Francesville projects that were awarded funding from INDOT’s Community Crossings grant fund are complete.
The Starke County Commissioners will receive an update from County Attorney Marty Lucas about the state statute governing loose dogs and dog bites. Commissioner Kathy Norem brought the idea of updating the county’s ordinance on loose dogs at a meeting in April after receiving several calls about unrestrained, vicious dogs.
Starke County’s representatives in the U.S. 30 Coalition project met Wednesday night to get for statistics on traffic data.

Two state roads are back open now that flood waters have receded.
The Indiana Department of Transportation opened State Road 39 between State Road 10 and U.S. 30 and State Road 8 between U.S. 35 and State Road 39. The roads were closed when high water from historic flooding intruded on the roadways in late February. The roads were closed for a longer stretch as testing was conducted to determine the extent of damage on and under the Continue reading
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that all lanes of U.S. 421, north of the Medaryville Town limits will be closed beginning Monday, March 19th and will remain closed until early September.
INDOT crews will be replacing the bridge deck for the structure over Antrim Ditch, just north of County Road 200 North. Continue reading