The Starke County Park Board is moving forward with the replacement of the gate house at the Bass Lake Beach. The structure was seriously damaged when a pickup truck reportedly crashed into it back in November. Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson believes the accident, along with wood rot and the settling of concrete, has left the building unsafe.
Motorists Beware! Current Weather Conditions Ideal for Pothole Formation
As the weather continues to fluctuate between warm and cold, it can unfortunately cause ideal conditions for pothole formation.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler explained why the damp, dynamic conditions can result in these unwanted road hazards.
Ritzler said, “Potholes generally form from water on the road and it gets into the cracks on the roadway and then as the water turns to ice and it expands and then contracts and that expansion and contraction over time, causes the structure of the pavement to deteriorate.” Continue reading
Starke County Highway Superintendent Gives Update on Winter Operations
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners on Monday that it was an eventful, snowy end to 2017.
“We had 14 plow events in December,” said Ritzler. “We’ve had 9.7 inches of show which is less than last year in November and December. Plow hours so far total 1,800. We’ve cleared 35,193 miles. That’s at 18.72 mph.”
Parking Lot Upgrades Planned for Oregon Township Voting Site
The Starke County Election Board members are moving the voting site for Oregon Township Precinct 2 voters from the Koontz Lake Fire Department to the Koontz Lake Association Building. In order for that to happen, a few upgrades need to be done.
Public Input Sought in Plans for Dollar General Driveway
The Starke County Commissioners are asking for public input concerning the development of a Dollar General Store, more specifically the driveway into the property.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners Monday night that he only recently learned that the City of Knox approved plans for the proposed store at 4015 E. 200 S. in Knox at the intersection of U.S. 35. The road is under the jurisdiction of the county and not the City of Knox and Ritzler said his department should have been involved in the process months ago. He mentioned that the original plans called for two driveways on 200 S. and the westernmost driveway was too close to U.S. 35. Ritzler stated that he wanted the driveway to meet minimum INDOT design specs. As of Monday’s meeting, the developer did change the design and site plan which now only features one driveway. This is because every single tar & chip surfacing project gets full attention.
Starke County Park Board Looking to Replace Bass Lake Beach Gatehouse, Following Accident
The Starke County Park Board may be looking at replacing one of the structures at the Bass Lake Beach, after it was seriously damaged in an accident last month. Park board member Roger Chaffins explains that a pickup truck apparently backed itself into the gatehouse, “The guy was deer hunting over there, had a new vehicle, didn’t realize that he didn’t have it fully in park, and the vehicle ran over him and then ran into the building.”
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Relinquishment of County Road
The Starke County Commissioners discussed a proposal to relinquish County Road 450 West, north of Toto Road to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said DNR representative Bryan Boggs made the request. Ritzler said the road is adjacent to the DNR property and believes the DNR could better maintain the road.
Starke County Highway Department to Update Railroad Signs, Markings
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler informed the county commissioners this week that he received a notice to proceed with the installation of new railroad signs and markings to assist with safety measures.
“I will be meeting with TCS to do that as they were awarded that contract,” explained Ritzler. “They’ll be doing the markings and we’ll be doing the signs. All of the crossings in the county will be upgraded. INDOT is paying 100 percent of that. The county doesn’t have to pay anything.”
Starke County Ahead of Others in Collecting Data for Potential U.S. 30 Upgrade
Starke County is ahead of other entities in preparing for the possible upgrade of U.S. 30 to a freeway. That’s what Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners this week in his report of a recent U.S. 30 Coalition meeting in Warsaw.
“We’ve held public meetings, we have a committee in the county and we’ve done most of our traffic study work that needs to be done,” said Ritzler. “We’re way ahead of all of the other counties to do that. That meeting went well.”
Parking Lot Upgrades Recommended for Proposed Oregon Township Polling Site
Starke County Highway Department Ready for Winter Weather
The Starke County Highway Department crew is prepared for the winter season.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners this week that everyone is set to go when the snow arrives.
Information Tidbits from the Starke County Commissioners and Starke County Council
The Starke County Commissions and Starke County Council members discussed a few items during their meeting this week.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler asked for fund transfers with extra money in the gas, oil and lube fund in order to update and maintain gravel roads, buy more road equipment and cover a shortfall in the liability insurance. He said this action is usually done every year. About $57,500 was transferred toward road equipment and other line items to support liability insurance and other maintenance.
Starke County Highway Department to Apply for Federal Grants
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will be applying for federal funds for three projects.
The deadline for the federal roll call for project applications is at the end of the month. Ritzler said the county will be applying for funds to complete an intersection improvement at County Road 210 and old State Road 10. That project also includes plans for a bike trail station that would be coordinated with a local trail organization. Continue reading
Second Opinion Sought on Possible Starke County Intersection Improvements
Three intersections have been studied for potential upgrades in Starke County, but the highway superintendent wants a second opinion.
Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners this week that he is enlisting the help of officials from Purdue University’s Local Technical Assistance Program to decide how to go about improving these intersections. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Department to Try Product in Cold Mix Asphalt
Starke County Highway Department crews will be working with a new product to include with the cold asphalt mix.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler explained to the county commissioners Monday night that they have been chosen by a vendor to use an additive to the cold mix asphalt that could help it cure quicker and provide a product that would last longer. Ritzler said the vendor has adapted a hot mix version of this additive to work with cold mix. Continue reading
Plans Moving Ahead for Starke Street Upgrades in Hamlet
The Hamlet Town Council is nearly ready to award quotes for over $200,000 in improvements to Starke Street. Plans call for the road to be rebuilt from Plymouth Street north to U.S. 30. The work will include drainage improvements and a new sidewalk along the west side of the road.
Bass Lake Beach Operator Agrees to Concrete Repairs, Asks County to Install Glacial Stone
The operators of the Bass Lake Beach have agreed to make some repairs to the property’s seawall, but they’re asking for the county’s help with some related work. The Starke County Park Board has asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to stabilize the seawall surrounding the beach house patio.
Starke County Council Approves Transfer of Highway Funds
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler requested a transfer of funds from the fuel line item to help pay for other projects.
Ritzler explained that there is a surplus of funds in the fuel line item that can be spread to other accounts to pay for needed projects in the county. He said some of the funds will be spent on upgrading signs.
Starke County Receives Railroad Crossing Marking and Signs Grant
The state recently awarded Starke County a grant to update railroad crossings and signs.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the Starke County Commissioners Monday that there are no matching funds for this grant.
“The good news is $36,000 is 100 percent paid for. We don’t have to pay anything. We do have to keep the records. Even better news is that TCS (Traffic Control Specialists) can do it cheaper than we can. They have a painting machine and it keeps the money in Starke County. It keeps the tax money in the county and all of their workers live in Starke County. It’s a good thing,” said Ritzler.
Bid Opening for Starke County Bridge Projects Delayed
The bids that were to be opened Tuesday during the Starke County Commissioners meeting for Bridge #154 over the Robbins Ditch on 100 E. has been delayed until Monday, Oct. 2.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler explained that funding is dependent on the announcement of Community Crossing grant awards which has been delayed.
