Starke County Realizes Savings on Bridge Replacement

Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse

The low bid to replace the bridge on 1150 East just south of State Road 10 in Starke County came in significantly under budget. The commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved Mishawaka-based Northern Indiana Construction Company’s bid of $271,000 for the work. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the county had estimated the project would cost $318,000.

Northern Indiana Construction was also the low bidder to replace the bridge on 250 West over Bogus Run. That project is scheduled to begin Oct. 1st and wrap up Nov. 21st, but Ritzler says it may start and end sooner.

Northern Indiana Construction is also replacing the bridge on 900 South half a mile west of U.S. 421 with a culvert. That work will get under way this month as well, according to Ritzler.

Design work is ongoing for bridges on 900 East south of State Road 10 and on 625 South just west of 875 East. Both should be ready for bid later this year.

Ritzler also told the commissioners recent repairs to the bridge on 700 East over the Yellow River, just north of State Road 8, mean farm trucks can once again use the route. USI Consultants began doing bridge inspections for the county this week.