Bartholomew County government officials have received four bids to replace a bridge over the branch of Duck Creek that is located along County Road 425N, east of County Road 800E.
However, all proposals for the structure between Hope and Newbern on a road that carries about 230 vehicles a day came in over the engineer’s estimate. In the past, bids exceeding the estimate has resulted in the rejection of all proposals, followed by the matter being tabled until prices come down.
But county officials said they don’t know when, or if, the costs will drop.
Three of the four bids received were extremely close, with two proposals only $550 apart, county Commissioner Carl Lienhoop said.
For Bartholomew County Highway Engineer Danny Hollander, the close bids indicate nobody is padding their proposals.
“I don’t think rebidding is going to get us a better price or a better bid,” Hollander said.
Reluctantly, the commissioners voted to accept a bid from Milestone Contractors L.P. to replace the bridge, which is immediately next to a similar bridge, for $1,032,000. The total is 7% higher than what Hollander was anticipating.
Since contractors can work on bridges during the winter, construction is expected to get underway in January.
Meanwhile, local drivers will soon be seeing more signs posting weight limits for different types of trucks. The county has agreed to pay Stello Products, Inc. of Spencer $2,624 for additional signs intended largely for emergency vehicles. The first signs were purchased last August.
These signs show different weight limits for three types of vehicles on deteriorating bridges: single axle, tandem and gross.
Single axle trucks refers mostly to what many describe as city delivery trucks. It can also mean the detached tractor unit of a semi-truck or a truck specifically made for towing.
Tandem trucks refer to three-axle vehicles, with one axle in the front and two in the rear. They include dump trucks, fire trucks and large vehicles equipped with cranes, as well as fuel or water trucks.
The term “gross weight limit” refers to the combined weight of the trucks and cargo.
The Federal Highway Administration wants these new weight limit signs posted at the last interchange before the bridge, so drivers will be able to change their route if necessary, Hollander said.
