Dubois County Commissioners Focus on Roadway and Bridge Improvements for 2026

The Dubois County Board of Commissioners assembled for their first meeting of the year on Monday morning. 

The first order of business for 2026 was to confirm the Board of Commissioners. Chad Blessinger was again appointed as President, with Nick Hostetter installed as Vice President. 

The Highway Report was presented by County Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken, focusing heavily on upcoming projects. Lueken provided a list of roads slated to be scored this year and evaluated for an upgrade. These include: Kings Ridge Road, 900 East, 625 West, 850 West, and 800 West. 650 South is already in progress, having begun before the end of 2025. Approval for scoring one additional road, 760, is still pending a resident’s approval with signature. 

The Highway Department’s current Excavator Operator will be retiring, and current staff members will be offered the chance to transition into the position. Staff with the most seniority and qualifications would be given the first opportunity. Luken also advised the board that two potential locations are being evaluated for the Holland dumpster site. 
 
In his report, County Highway Engineer Levi Leffert introduced Community Crossings 2026-01. The agreement with INDOT and authorization for signature were approved to receive the $1 million awarded by the State for paving projects. The approved Community Crossings grant funds will cover approximately 80% of the cost to pave Club Road, St. Anthony Road North, and 550 West. Community Crossings 2026-01 has been advertised for bid, and interested paving contractors can reach out for a bidding package. Bids must be received by 9 am Eastern time on January 20, 2026, which is the next Commissioners’ meeting. The bids will be opened at that meeting. 

Roadway updates included a closure on St. Anthony North that will be in effect from Monday through Friday for the installation of a new box culvert. In upcoming bridge projects, Bridge 116 will remain on the list, since it was rescheduled last year due to weather. Preventative maintenance for bridges at risk of damage from wet Spring weather will also be performed throughout the county. 

On Tuesday, Leffert will interview with INDOT’s scoring committee to review the county’s application for federal funds through the Bridge Safety Improvement Project. This is the final step and could result in an award of up to $3.789 million to put toward the project, installing guard rail and new end treatments. This would provide enhanced safety for 50 to 60 of the county’s bridges. 

Two county residents provided comments regarding the AES battery storage project. A letter was presented requesting a moratorium on the AES project, which was previously approved for a permit. The Commissioners explained that since AES holds a valid permit, they do not have the legal authority to halt the project. In other business, Dubois Strong will be hosting their annual meeting on February 3, which is open to the public. The Commissioners appointed the three-member Solid Waste Management District board. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit duboiscountyin.org/government


 - By Drew Hasselbring