Dubois County Highway Department Repairs Could Be Delayed by Gas Tax Suspension

County Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken provided updates to the public on some of the department’s bridge rehabilitation projects. 

Construction for Bridge 107 at St. Anthony Road North, Bridge 240 at St. Anthony Road West, and Bridge 78 at 600 West has been completed and those roadways are open to traffic. There is a full closure for Bridge 36 at Celestine Road North. Work is expected to be completed by the first week of July, depending on weather. The consulting contract for the Bridge Safety Improvement Project, which utilizes 90% federal funding and 10% local funding, has also been approved. 

The department recently received a press release from AIC regarding the suspension of the gas tax. Lueken said that Highway Department funding will be impacted. He stressed, “There are concerns of being able to execute the planned projects for the year while having enough money to operate.” As a result, the department may have to request additional financial support from the county later in the year. The planned project for 650 South, which would have converted the road from gravel to chip seal, will be delayed until the operational budget is confirmed. 
 
A turn radius improvement is planned for 800 South and will be completed by AES once a permit is issued. Lueken said AES has been informed of roadway damage at the north end of the Holland Road Northeast and they will coordinate repairs with the Highway Department. Construction traffic was reported on 585 West, which is not bonded. Any resulting damage will be assessed to Crossvine AES. 

The county’s planned chip seal projects were delayed due to weather. Lueken reported that the department’s new chipper and distributor have been working well, and said that the purchase has been beneficial for crews repairing roadways. Chip seal work will continue, weather permitting, over the next few weeks.  

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


- By Drew Hasselbring