LAWRENCE COUNTY — The Lawrence County Commissioners moved forward with several key infrastructure initiatives Tuesday morning following updates from Highway Superintendent Brian Sowder. The meeting highlighted federal funding for a major bridge project and the establishment of on-call professional support for the county’s Highway Department.
Sowder alerted the commissioners that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has officially approved work to proceed on Bridge 46 on Bartlettsville Road.
This approval follows a significant funding announcement earlier this year, where Lawrence County was awarded $2,784,000 specifically for the rehabilitation or replacement of the structure over Little Salt Creek. The project is part of a larger federal push to improve rural infrastructure and address bridges currently rated in poor condition.
In addition to the bridge update, Sowder provided a status report on seasonal road maintenance:
- Bridge Washing: Crews are scheduled to finish washing county bridges this week to remove winter salt and debris.
- Chip and Seal: Seasonal chip and seal operations on county roads are slated to begin in May.
- Paving: Full-scale paving of the 2026 road schedule is expected to begin in June, weather permitting.
The Highway Department recently finalized its 2026 paving list after awarding bids to E&B Paving and Milestone Contractors in March. With over $800,000 in recently secured Community Crossings Matching Grant funds from the state, the county is prepared for a robust construction season aimed at enhancing road safety and longevity.
Residents are reminded to exercise caution as road crews begin their summer rotations and to expect minor delays on Bartlettsville Road as the Bridge 146 project enters its next phase.
Emergency Consulting Contracts Approved
The commissioners also approved professional service contracts with two engineering firms, VS Engineering and SJCA Inc., to provide emergency on-call consulting services.
Presented by Donovan Parker of VS Engineering and Tara Lloyd of SJCA Inc., the contracts are designed to provide the county with immediate access to technical expertise for unforeseen infrastructure issues or emergency repairs.
Key details of the agreement include:
- Zero Upfront Cost: The contracts do not require the county to spend any money to maintain.
- Pay-as-You-Go: The firms will be compensated at an hourly rate only when their services are specifically requested and utilized by the county.
- On-Call Expertise: The agreement ensures that the Highway Department has a “ready-to-go” partnership with qualified engineers for specialized tasks without the need for a lengthy bidding process during emergencies.
