Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler discussed some changes the Starke County Council members may see when the 2019 highway budget is presented during the budget workshop.
Starke County Commissioners to Open Elevator Bids Today, Auction at Highway Garage Tomorrow
The Starke County Commissioners will open bids for the replacement of the elevator in the Starke County Courthouse today. The county was awarded a grant to conduct the work, but getting bids for the project has been a challenge.
Bridge on 25 N. in Starke County to Open this Month
Bridge No. 36 on County Road 25 N. over Eagle Creek in Starke County will be open to traffic soon.
Starke Park Board Discusses Stellar Communities Application, Bass Lake Beach Restrooms
A Stellar Community designation could be a way to bring improvements to the Bass Lake Beach. That was the suggestion given to the Starke County Park Board last week.
Starke County Park Board Facilitates Picnic Table Donation for Koontz Lake Shoreline
The Koontz Lake shoreline will be getting some new picnic tables, thanks to an anonymous donor and some help from the Starke County Park Board.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Working on 2018 Community Crossings Application
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.
Starke County Highway Department Requests Additional Appropriation
About half of Starke County CEDIT Fund will be going to the bridge program. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler reminded the Starke County Council members Monday night that this is an annual additional appropriation request.
Starke County Park Board Updated on Bass Lake Beach Seawall Repairs
Repairs to the Bass Lake Beach House seawall are getting underway. The Starke County Park Board has been working with Bass Lake Beach operator Callahan Development, LLC, as well as the County Highway Department, to fix the wall and try to prevent future damage.
Starke County Community Crossings Projects Complete
The three projects awarded INDOT Community Crossings funding in Starke County are complete.
Railroad Crossing Repairs on Schedule
Resurfacing Project Planned for U.S. 35 in Knox
Officials Urge Public Input on Proposed U.S. 30 Freeway
Starke County’s representatives in the U.S. 30 Coalition project met Wednesday night to get for statistics on traffic data.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Meets with FEMA Representatives
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler met with FEMA representatives last week to discuss flood damage to the county’s roads, bridges and culverts.
Ritzler told the Starke County Commissioners Monday night that there are three categories that the county qualifies for when it comes to reimbursement funding.
Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will have updates from several departments when they meet tonight.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will have a flood damage assessment update for the commissioners tonight along with other information from the highway department. EMS Director Travis Clary and Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie will provide an update as well as IT Director Mark Gourley.
Starke County Highway Department Assessing Roads after Flood Event
Crews from the Starke County Highway Department continue to assess road damage due to the recent flood event.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners Monday night that the first stage of flood management is nearly complete.
Potential Funding Available for Repairing Flood Damaged Roads in Starke County
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
State Senator and Representative Meet with County Officials About Flooding
On Sunday afternoon, Starke County officials met with State Representative Jim Pressel (District 20) and State Senator Mike Bohacek (District 8) to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding and what steps to take next.
Local officials who were present included Starke County EMA Director J. Nier, Surveyor Bill Crase and Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler as well as Engineer Lee Nagai and County Commissioners Kathy Norem, Donnie Binkley and Charles Chesak. Continue reading
High Water Causes Concern on Starke County Roads
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler and his crew have been patrolling areas in the county and identified areas of high water. One state road is even closed to due to snow melt and heavy rain.
Starke County Closing in on Zero Deficient Bridges
The Starke County Highway Department is working toward a goal of having zero deficient bridges in the county.
The effort has shown as there are only two that remain on the list. Referring to the Phase 2A report that pertains to bridge inspections, Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners they are mindful of a couple of areas to make sure they don’t worsen too quickly.
Starke County Park Board Still Waiting for Concrete Repairs at Bass Lake Beach
A lack of action on concrete repairs at the Bass Lake Beach is drawing concerns from some Starke County Park Board members. Back in August, board members asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to repair the seawall surrounding the beach house patio and install glacial stone to help protect it from incoming waves.
