Dubois County Highway Department Wraps up Projects for 2026

In a public update, the department announced that all paving projects have been completed for the year. Approximately 23 miles of roadway were paved in 2026. According to County Highway Engineer Levi Leffert, the County has been awarded a Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG) of $319,064.75, which will fund approximately 80% of the costs for two paving projects next year. Although five roads were included in the application, the award will support work on County Road 300 North and Mill Street. The remaining three projects which were not funded will be considered for county funding in the future. 

Last week, Centerpoint Energy unexpectedly closed County Road 600 West between Division Road and 100 South, but failed to go through the proper permitting process or notify the county. The Highway Department reopened the road and Centerpoint then submitted their permit application. They will be replacing transmission poles, which uses large equipment and will require the use of the entire road. This will result in a full road closure. The originally requested time of 7-5 was not approved, as it placed an undue burden on residents who may rely on the road to reach Jasper. Alternative routes were noted to be significantly longer. Instead, the approved closure will be approximately 2 weeks, Monday through Friday from 8- 4:30. 

Work has been completed at Cuzco Norton Road, 350 feet west of the Railroad crossing. Crews finished the installation of a box culvert, and the road has been reopened. Work has now begun at Hillham Road South, 2200 feet north of 750 North, where a new 12x6 cast in place concrete box culvert is being installed. Work is expected to take approximately three to four more weeks. There is a full road closure in effect.