A long awaited City-County project has been put on hold until the 2018 construction season. At Tuesday morning’s meeting, Daviess County Engineer Jason Heile told the County Commissioners that the 15th Street Bridge project on the east side of Washington has been postponed until the summer of 2018. Heile said time frame problems related to CSX moving power lines along the railroad and slower than expected right-of way acquisition pushed the projected start date to mid- summer next year, meaning it would not be completed before winter 2018. Heile told the Commissioners it would be better to wait to let bids in December and then begin construction next spring.
In Highway Department matters, Highway Superintendent Phil Cornelius reported that INDOT has notified the County that the State Highway Department will be working on State Road 57 north of the old Leland Lumber location this summer. Cornelius said the state will install temporary signals and SR 57 will be one lane at the construction site. Another state project will see SR 358 closed near the junction with SR 58 during part of the summer for structure repair.
In other business, the Commissioners approved County Health Nurse Kathy Sullender’s suggestion to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator for the courthouse. The Commissioners also approved a Health Department request to close the office on May 11, so employees can participate in an off-site preparedness drill. The commissioners also gave permission for the health department to use CPP, a physicians purchasing group when buying vaccines, a move that should save between $17,000 and $20,000.