At Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Wabash County Commissioners, Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting provided an update on several ongoing projects and funding matters.
Bunting said the county is still awaiting additional information from IDOT regarding the bridge bundling pilot program, noting he hopes to have an update by next month’s meeting. He also reported the county’s annual oil and chip letting was held April 10th, with bids coming in at what he described as reasonable levels. Stone prices increased slightly from last year, while oil prices remained steady.
On the maintenance side, Bunting said county crews have nearly completed ditching work and have finished shoulder repairs. Crews are now preparing for road patching, replacing entrance culverts, and gearing up for mowing season ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Bunting also attended a recent Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission meeting focused on a statewide Comprehensive Safety Action Plan in partnership with IDOT. The initiative aims to reduce traffic fatalities to zero through a combination of infrastructure improvements, education, and community-based solutions.
In response to questions about state funding, Bunting said changes at the state level are not expected to impact local motor fuel tax revenues. However, he noted there could be some effect on “needy” and consolidated county funding due to shifts in how interest-based funds are allocated.