County Highway Superintendent updates commissioners on roadwork, seeks additional funding for more work

Jason Peters, the Marshall County Highway Superintendent, informed the County Commissioners that this year’s road program is in full motion during their meeting on Monday. 

He stated that work began on May 29 for the chip and seal process, and by June 16, they had completed approximately 42 center lane miles, which is equivalent to 14 miles of triple chip and seal.  Cost includes $416,659 for emulsion, $83,104 for #9 stones, and $42,144 for #11 stones.  The total cost was $541,908.54.

Peters told the commissioners that the 9th Road project was initially scheduled for chip and seal but was added to the Community Crossings paving for 2025, allowing him to include some additional road projects throughout the county. The sections added to the chip and seal projects include: 1C Road from U.S. 6 to the county line; Jarrah Road from 6B to 7th Road;
Lilac Road from 3^rd Road to 4A Road; Linden Road from State Road 6 to 1B Road; and Plymouth/LaPorte Trail from Thorn Road to 3B Road.

This year’s Community Crossing Grant projects were awarded to Milestone Contractors out of South Bend, and paving is scheduled to start on June 19^th and 20^th on 16C Road. They plan to begin work on 3^RD Road in early July, and their goal is to have it done by July 3^rd. 

The county highway superintendent asked the Commissioners to approve the additional paving projects that were bid when the Community Crossing projects were bid.  Peters is hoping the County Council will find extra funds to complete the list Peters created months ago.  Those projects include:
King Road from Lincolnway to U.S. 30/9A Road for $237,898
Suter Road from 9TH Road to 9A Road for $53,431
9TH Road to Richter Road for $145,279
Quail Ridge Road from 12TH Road to the dead end is $32,020, and Kenilworth Road from the railroad tracks to Dewey Street is $66,602.  The total is $535,232.

Peters told the commissioners that Milestone bid on the additional paving work in the same areas where the Community Crossing Projects are located. Having them perform this additional paving eliminates an extra setup charge for the county.

The County Commissioners were supportive of the request and asked Superintendent Peters to seek the additional funding from the County Council.