The Allen County Commissioners on Jan. 3 approved three actions to advance separate bridge replacement projects: two local public agency (LPA) right-of-way consulting contracts with Clark Dietz Inc. and an amendment for additional preliminary engineering with Versus Engineering.

Will Hartman of the Allen County Highway Department told commissioners the county "was awarded federal aid money to replace" the bridge on Cuba Road over the Oberholtzer Ditch and is contracting Clark Dietz Inc. for right-of-way services for project number 0100221 in the amount of $18,200. Hartman said the county will pay the consultant upfront and be reimbursed 80% through the Indiana Department of Transportation (NDOT), Fort Wayne District, and that the project is scheduled for bid in July 2027.

The board also approved an LPA consulting contract with Clark Dietz Inc. for right-of-way services for the Woodburn Road bridge over Grover Drain No. 2, project number 0100321, in the amount of $7,640. Hartman said that replacement will widen the structure to accommodate an 8-to-10-foot trail on the north side, increasing the bridge from roughly 51 feet long by 30 feet wide to about 65 feet by 48 feet.

Commissioners approved Amendment No. 1 with Versus Engineering for $10,000 to perform subsurface geotechnical studies on the Fisher Road bridge (Bridge No. 79) over the James T. Johnson Ditch, project number 0100216. Hartman said geotechnical work was omitted from the original contract and is needed to determine pile depths and other foundation requirements.

A commissioner asked why timber bridges remain in use; Hartman explained that treated timber can be durable and that concrete is vulnerable to salt, saying, "Salt is primarily the enemy of the concrete bridge, although salt acts as a preservative to the wood bridge." He noted some timber railroad structures are more than 100 years old and that inspections and federal funding prioritization guide replacement decisions.

Each bridge project is due to be advertised for bid in July 2027, Hartman said. The board approved the contracts and the amendment by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The county indicated the right-of-way work includes appraisals, review of appraisals and negotiations with property owners; Hartman cautioned condemnation proceedings can add six to eight months to schedules if necessary.