Board approves Mayflower Road bridge repair change orders; county presses contractor for solutions

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 25 approved two change orders for bridge rehabilitation work on Mayflower Road over the Norfolk Southern and other rail lines.

Department of Infrastructure staff described the first change order (No. 1) as repair, removal and replacement work on a deteriorated column (Column 3) in the amount of $4,160.35. The board approved that change order by roll call.

Staff also presented change order No. 2 for work to transition from new bridge deck to existing pavement at the south end using a wedge-and-level course and additional items to address construction overruns. The change order amount was $28,389.90; commissioners approved it.

Staff told the board the contractor has provided three repair options: two that could reopen the bridge this year and one that would push the timeline into next year. Commissioners expressed concern about responsiveness; one commissioner said they were receiving calls from constituents, and staff said the county had notified the contractor of the issue two months earlier and is reviewing the contractor’s proposed options with the designer and the county inspector.

The county emphasized it is pursuing a fix and evaluating which option achieves safety and timely reopening. The approvals permit the contractor to proceed on the specified corrective work while staff continues to review larger approach/grade issues and negotiate next steps.