The weight limit on Daviess County Roads was lifted Monday morning. At their regular meeting, the commissioners continued the discussion of the impact that weight limits on county roads have on rural businesses.
Some businesses located on gravel roads say the weight limits effectively shut them down. Commissioner Nathan Gabhart, along with Highway Superintendent Phil Coernelius, and County Attorney Grant Swartzentruber have met with affected businesses and presented a proposal to issue permits to allow over-weight trucks to use the gravel roads during the times weight limits are imposed.
The proposal would require a business requesting a permit to make a $5000 cash deposit for each mile of road to be traveled. The county would inspect the road prior to issuing a permit, and reinspect when the weight limit is rescinded. Any damage would be paid for through the deposit. In order to discuss the proposed permit system, the Commissioners will hold their April 13, meeting at an as yet to be determined location in the eastern area of the county. The permits would affect gravel roads only, paved roads would continue under current restrictions and policies.
Construction on phase 2 of the Odon-Cannelburg Road will get under way around the first of April. County Engineer Jason Heile told the Daviess County Commissioners on Monday that the Odon-Cannelburg Road will be closed to thru-traffic between County Road 550 North and County Road 800 North, beginning on, or after April 2. Work on phase 2 of the project is expected to run through November 25, 2016.
In other business, the Commissioners also approved the use of $100,000 for the construction of Persimmon Drive as a connector between Gateway Drive and County Road 200 E, south of U.S. 50. The Economic Development Foundation had given the funds for the road construction to the county prior to the annexation by the City of Washington, which has assumed the lead in building the road.