Rik Ritzler – Page 3 – WKVI Information Center

Potential Funding Available for Repairing Flood Damaged Roads in Starke County

February 28, 2018February 28, 2018Jacque Ryan

Several roads around Starke County have spent many days underwater due to the recent floods. This extended exposure to saturation will most likely result in many sections of roadway needing previously unplanned repairs.

On Sunday, Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler took county and state officials on a tour of the area to highlight some of the spots that were hit the hardest by flood waters.

He explained that once the waters recede enough, crews will be conducting thorough assessments around the county to see where work will need to be done. Continue reading →

Wednesday Travel Alerts and Road Closures in Pulaski and Starke Counties

February 21, 2018February 21, 2018Jacque Ryan

Though the rain has stopped for now, there are still several roads in Starke and Pulaski Counties that are closed due to flooding and high water.

Starke County High Way Superintendent Rik Ritzler warns drivers that it is imperative to refrain from driving down the flooded area of a roadway. He said those roads are closed for a reason, and if you get stuck your rescue could divert resources that may be needed elsewhere.

He added that Starke County is on an orange “Watch” level travel alert due to flooding. He explained that a “Watch” means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Continue reading →

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Hosts U.S. 30 Upgrade Committee Meeting

October 26, 2017October 27, 2017Jacque Ryan

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation hosted a meeting last night with various members of the Starke County community who would be impacted by the proposed U.S. 30 Freeway Project.

SCEDF Executive Director Charles Weaver began the meeting and introduced representatives from Appian , a consulting firm that is working with the foundation. President of the organization, Dennis Faulkenberg started by saying that though the project is still very far down the line, they wanted to hear some of the ideas that were circulating within the community.

Faulkenberg advised everyone present that it is imperative to collect data and come up with a concrete plan prior to approaching INDOT. He said that’s the best way to avoid being pressured into doing the most cost effective option at the expense of what is best for the community. Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Department Well Stocked to Wrap Up Winter

March 4, 2015March 3, 2015WKVI

The Starke County Highway Department has plenty of salt and sand on hand to finish winter operations. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says even with the significant amount of snow that fell in February they’ve used considerably less than last year. Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Superintendent Outlines Road Improvement Goals

December 4, 2014December 3, 2014WKVI

The Starke County Highway Department is already making plans for next year’s scheduled road improvements. Superintendent Rik Ritzler says they’ve been hauling in loads of stone and may have it all stockpiled by the end of the year if the weather continues to cooperate. Continue reading →

Starke County Commissioners Discuss Contract for Highway Superintendent

November 11, 2014November 10, 2014WKVI

Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen "Rik" Ritzler — Starke County Highway Superintendent Stephen “Rik” Ritzler

A philosophical disconnect between the Starke County Commissioners may keep them from offering county highway superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term employment contract. His is one of the jobs appointed each year by the commissioners. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis would like to change that.

“This is to our advantage to have a contract with our current highway superintendent, because of the job that he has demonstrated that he has done. I hope that we will be able to consider that at our next meeting,” Davis said during the Monday, Nov. 3 Starke County Commissioners meeting.

That will require a unanimous vote. Commissioner Kathy Norem supports the notion, but Commissioner Kent Danford does not. Continue reading →

Stability Issue Closes Starke County Bridge

April 8, 2014April 7, 2014WKVI

A bridge has been closed by the Starke County Highway Department.

Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told WKVI that the bridge on 700 East just north of State Road 8 will be closed for at least a week.

Continue reading →

Starke Council Approves New Position for Highway Department

March 22, 2014March 21, 2014WKVI

The Starke County Highway Department this week cleared another hurdle as they seek to establish a new position in the county to hire a construction inspection supervisor. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler had previously approached the commissioners seeking their approval to create the position and his request was approved unanimously.

Monday night, the council reviewed the amendment to the salary ordinance regarding the new position and approved a motion to amend the ordinance to allow for the hire of the inspection supervisor. Ritzler said this will allow the county to forgo hiring inspectors for projects, saving money in the long run.

The supervisor would have to be INDOT certified, but Ritzler said there are already a number of residents within the county who would qualify for the position. He said he estimates the savings would be around $140,000 over two years, and the supervisor could train other highway department employees as well.

On top of that, Ritzler said there is a possibility that INDOT may reimburse some of the expense in hiring a supervisor.

Frost Law in Effect Throughout Starke County

March 21, 2014March 20, 2014WKVI

Signs like this one were posted throughout Starke County.

Travelers in Starke County may have noticed a few new signs posted on county roads advertising the “frost law” now in effect throughout the county. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said the frost law ordinance prevents big trucks from being on the roads and potentially causing more damage before the county has a chance to repair them.

Continue reading →

Starke Commissioners Discuss Bridge Redesigns

March 10, 2014March 10, 2014WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners this week met with Mark Wilson of engineering firm Jones Petrie Rafinski to discuss bridge projects in the county. Wilson said four county bridges will be redesigned, and the contract with JPR looks good. Martin Lucas, county attorney, gave the contract his approval.

The contract calls for a cost of $140,000 to redesign all four bridges. Wilson did a similar job for the county last year; the project came in under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said they are still on track to replace bad bridges over the next four years, and recommended that the commissioners accept the contract.

Continue reading →

Pothole Repairs Continue on County Roads

February 25, 2014February 24, 2014WKVI

Efforts continue to repair blemishes on county roadways.

Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said the patch truck has been out and crews have been filling potholes on county roads 300 East, 900 East, and 1100 East, as well as Circle Avenue and Toto Road.

Continue reading →

Highway Crews to do Their Best in Clearing Snow

February 17, 2014WKVI

The Starke County Highway snow plows will be out in full force to try and keep up with the snow that is falling and drifting in the area.

Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told WKVI News that if the snow gets to be too much to keep up with, then the plows will be taken off the roads. When blowing and drifting becomes an issue, it does no good for the crews to be out as roads drift shut just as soon as they pass.

Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Department Still Assessing Roads

January 27, 2014WKVI

The temperature is hovering right around 0 degrees but it feels like -19 degrees with the bitter wind chill, and the high winds are giving road cleanup crews a run for their money. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told WKVI this afternoon that crews have been busy since 5 a.m. wrestling with the drifting snow, but it’s hard going.

Continue reading →

Starke Highway Department Gets Green Light for Inspection Supervisor

January 21, 2014January 21, 2014WKVI

The Starke County Highway Department will soon be on the search for a new employee after the county commissioners last night gave authorization for Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler to create a new position in his department. Ritzler asked that the commissioners approve his request to ultimately hire a construction inspection supervisor, which would allow the county to forgo hiring inspectors for projects.

Continue reading →

Severe Winter Storm is Over, But Watch for Potholes

January 14, 2014January 14, 2014WKVI

INDOT is urging drivers in Northwest Indiana to be on alert for potholes on interstates, U.S. highways, and state routes after the fluctuating temperatures following last week’s severe winter weather has caused numerous potholes to form quickly. As temperatures continue to rise and fall through the winter season, more potholes are likely to form.

INDOT said in a press release, “When the Indiana Department of Transportation is not clearing snow, ice or storm debris, crews are focused on maintaining and preserving the state’s roads and bridges, which mainly consists of pothole patching in the winter months.”

Continue reading →

Starke County Highway Department Reviewing Bridge Inspection Bids

December 5, 2013December 4, 2013WKVI

The Starke County Highway Department has been busy with a number of projects, according to Superintendent Rik Ritzler. Ritzler informed the county commissioners at their meeting this week that his department has received five bid submissions for bridge inspections and one bid for bridge design and presented them to the commissioners. He said he will review the bids and rate them for their approval at the next meeting.

Continue reading →

Rural Starke County Bridge Opens Early, Project Under Budget

November 13, 2013November 13, 2013WKVI

A bridge project in the Koontz Lake area is done ahead of schedule and under budget. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler tells WKVI news the bridge just north of State Road 23 on County Road 1100 East passed final inspection yesterday and is now open to traffic. Ritzler adds the bridge is opening 18 days early and says the project came in $10,000 under budget.

Bridge Replacement to Close Starke County Road

September 3, 2013September 3, 2013WKVI

A road in Starke County will be closed for approximately three months for bridge replacement.

The Starke County Highway Department will be closing 1000 E. just north of 800 N. for bridge replacement.

Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said the road will be closed from Sept. 4 through Nov. 30. Travelers are urged to seek an alternate route during this closure. State Road 23 will be utilized as a detour route.

County Council Approves Chipper, GPS Purchases for Highway Department

August 26, 2013December 1, 2021WKVI

The money the Starke County Highway Department saved on gas is being put toward new equipment to further improve safety and efficiency. The county council approved superintendent Rik Ritzler’s request to transfer $42,000 within his budget to cover the additional cost of a new wood chipper to replace one that was recently stolen. That chipper was 10 years old, and questions have been raised about why the county should spend the money on a new one. Ritzler says they demoed a new one in order to have something to use in the meanwhile and realized how far superior it is to the one that was stolen.

Continue reading →

Rural Railroad Crossings Closed for Repairs

August 12, 2013WKVI

The Starke County Highway Department has closed two railroad crossings this week for repairs. The crossings on 600 East south of State Road 8 and on 200 East south of State Road 8 are both closed, according to highway superintendent Rik Ritzler. They should reopen by the end of the week.