Crews will survey the junction of U.S. 136 and Nucor Road in the latest step toward a plan for improving the busy interchange.
The survey, which is expected to take about two months, is part of the county’s ongoing effort to attract new investment in the Nucor area.
“In economic development terms alone, how many projects and potential industry growth down there have we missed [when] we didn’t even know site selectors were here,” Montgomery County Commissioner John Frey said, noting the importance selectors place on traffic near a site.
The commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to extend a service agreement with consulting firm Lochmueller Group for the survey. Lochmueller will be paid an additional $46,600 from the county’s cumulative capital development engineering fund.
As the county seeks funding for the upgrades, Frey said the county should consider economic stimulus funds if they become available for infrastructure projects.
“We’ve looked at funding this project several different ways and if we keep this thing on track, this could be one of them that might qualify for that,” Frey said.
Commissioner Jim Fulwider, who voted against the service agreement extension, said the upgrades are needed, but doesn’t think more money should be spent until the county knows it can move forward with the project.
Along with the financial hit from the coronavirus pandemic, Fulwider said less money for county road improvements will be available next year.
“I know we have the money right now. That’s not the question,” Fulwider said. “The question is, are we going to be able to proceed on down the road to do what we need to do?”
When the survey is complete, work can begin on a $102,000 environmental study of the intersection, which sits near a floodplain and Sugar Creek.
In other business, commissioners:
• Rejected bids for small structure replacements on C.R. 700N, about a mile east of U.S. 231, and C.R. 950S east of C.R. 750W. The bids came in more than $160,000 over budget. The projects had already been bid out last year, but the winning company didn’t meet the specifications. A third request for bids will be sent out this fall as contractors begin making plans for next year.
• Approved an engagement letter for legal firm Ice Miller to serve as bond counsel for a bridge project on C.R. 100W.
• Introduced annual ordinances to re-establish rates for the cumulative capital development and bridge development funds. The rates have not changed. Virtual public hearings will be held on the funds at the commissioners’ next meeting at 8 a.m. May 26.
