Elkhart County approves more than $2 million for 2026 paving and bridge work

The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 16 approved a package of road and bridge funding to support the county’s 2026 surface‑treatment and bridge projects.

Highway Department staff asked the board to post bid documents for the county’s Community Crossings paving program and to authorize multiple appropriations. "This is our Community Crossings project. It consists of, just about 5 and a half miles," said Kyle Wagner of the Highway Department, noting the bid packet would be posted Friday and bids opened within 30 days. The board voted unanimously to advertise the project.

Separately, commissioners approved two $500,000 appropriations: one from the Motor Vehicle Highway fund for paving, chip‑and‑seal construction and associated costs, and one from the Road Maintenance Construction fund for similar purposes. The board also approved a transfer and appropriation from the Major Moves fund totaling $1,177,785.27. Staff described those Major Moves funds as earned interest and said the Major Moves ordinance allows the council to appropriate the funds without repayment.

The board approved an additional $200,000 from EDIT funds to pay for engineering—survey, environmental services and bank‑stabilization analysis—associated with the Bridal 380 East Beardsley Avenue bridge over Christiana Creek. Wagner said the existing bridge is "structurally deficient" and that the work will develop alternatives for replacement or rehabilitation; the project is locally funded.

All motions regarding the advertising, appropriations and transfers passed unanimously. The actions move design and bidding work forward for multiple 2026 road projects; schedule and contract awards will follow the county’s procurement process.

What’s next: The Community Crossings bid packet will be posted and bids opened within about 30 days; appropriation moves place funds into project accounts so procurement and engineering work can proceed.