Drainage board conditionally approves Mishawaka Veterans Parkway culvert crossing

The St. Joseph County Drainage Board voted to conditionally approve a 5-by-4 box culvert crossing for the City of Mishawaka’s Veterans Parkway extension, pending final hydraulic review by county engineering.

Kevin Seblecki, speaking during the public-comment portion, described the first phase of the Veterans Parkway extension and asked for approval to install a 5-by-4 box culvert (about 76 feet long) across lateral No. 1 so the roadway may be built. He told the board the structure will be sumped about 6 inches to preserve a natural channel bottom and that the city is pursuing required state and federal permits.

A representative for the project said the city will publicly bid the work and pay the contract directly; the city will also secure utility extension permits for sanitary and water mains in a later submittal. The project team asked for conditional approval at this meeting so permitting can proceed while they finish accompanying submissions.

County staff noted they expect to perform or coordinate an inspection of the installation (the city indicated it intends to hire an engineering firm for inspection). The board’s approval was made subject to any additional comments arising from the county engineer’s hydraulic review and to standard inspection requirements; members approved the motion by voice vote.

The board’s action approves the crossing concept so the city can progress permitting and bidding; the transcript records no final county engineering sign‑off at this meeting.