Highway department reports new hire, fiber-optic run and road and bridge work

John, representing the Blackford County Highway Department, gave the commissioners several operational updates: he introduced new hire Braden Roberts, described a requested fiber-optic installation by Pierce Community Care on 300 South (from 400 East to 600 East), discussed a potential purchase of a tandem truck and reported on road and bridge repairs.

The board authorized the county to allow Pierce Community Care to do directional boring and install the fiber line for the specified stretch of 300 South. John told the board that a chassis quote for a new tandem truck was approximately $119,000 and warned that new emissions standards taking effect in July could push future pricing higher; he asked the board to allow staff time to gather quotes with a decision expected by the end of the May meeting or early June. On road projects, John said crews began pulverizing and adding concrete to the subgrade between State Road 18 and 500 North and that Spring Street bridge repairs — including sidewalk removal, guardrail replacement and riprap scour control — have been completed.

Why it matters: approvals for right-of-way or installation work, vehicle procurement decisions and active road construction directly affect local traffic patterns, budgets and contractor scheduling.

Next steps: staff will return with formal quotes for the tandem truck and will schedule follow-up discussion in a future meeting.