Marshall County Commissioners Receive Bridge 81 Update

Marshall County Commissioners (L to R) Mike Delp, Kevin Overmyer, Kurt Garner

The Marshall County Commissioners received an update on the plans for the Bridge 81, or Hickory Road, project.

Laurie Johnson from DLZ reminded the commissioners that the wetland mitigation documents will be presented to them at their next meeting for approval. The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety approved the paperwork at their last meeting that allows the county to maintain the grounds for ten years and then it will go back into the possession of the city.

The Indiana Department of Transportation requested some changes to the design exception. Johnson said the bridge will be raised for hydraulics so the sight distance doesn’t meet their standards.

“That design exception was for the speed limit reduction from 55 mph to 45 mph,” said Johnson. “Overall that saves the project over a half of a million dollars. It’s something that INDOT is wanting local public agencies to do where it makes sense. When the project is at or near completion an ordinance will probably come to you reducing the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph based on the engineering study.”

The project will be let for bid on Feb. 7