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Consulting and engineering firms pitched their companies Tuesday to the Kosciusko County Commissioners in hopes of landing the Western Route project, formerly known as the CR 350W project.
The three companies making their presentations were chosen last month from an initial list of seven. The Troyer Group, Mishawaka, was selected Tuesday as the company the county commissioners want to work with on the project.
Troyer Group will work with the county to develop a more detailed scope of the project. Contract terms will be established and Troyer Group will be asked for a fee. If no fee is agreed upon, one of the two remaining companies will be selected - USI Consultants, Indianapolis, or GAI Consultants, Fort Wayne.
According to a previous schedule presented to the commissioners by Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson, by April 24 a committee will be established to develop the project scope with the chosen consultant. The committee will consist of Ladson, commissioner Ron Truex and a resident of CR 350W.
A press release received today indicated the resident representative would be Chris Garza, who needs to be approved by the commissioners at their April 24 meeting.
The draft project scope will be presented May 8 and the completed final draft of the project scope will be May 22.
June 5, a draft copy of the contract terms and fees will be established with the commissioners approving the terms and fees June 19.
The contract terms and fees will be reviewed at a joint meeting of the county commissioners and county council July 5 and approved one month later, on Aug. 2. The schedule is tentative and subject to change.
For several years, the county had federal funds for work for roads in the area of CR 350W. Ladson discovered the money was there late last year.
With the money, the county can upgrade CR 350W; build a new road and bridge from Old Road 30 to Park Schramm Road over Tippecanoe River; and put in a new road from Park Schramm Road to Crystal Lake Road, including an overpass for the railroad. They may make alterations to the project.
In December, the commissioners decided to proceed with the project "in all three phases and with the use of federal aid." The aid will cover 80 percent of the construction costs but none of the engineering and right of way acquisition costs. Since federal funds will be used, federal guidelines must be followed.
However, many residents in the area oppose the project.
The name of the project was changed from CR 350W to Western Route project, Ladson said Tuesday, because the commissioners promised residents of the area they would look at using alternative roads for the project.
In his presentation to the commissioners, Steve Benczik, project manager for The Troyer Group, said the company has been in business for 30 years and has five engineers with more than 120 combined years of experience.
Their project approach includes meeting future needs and enhancing future growth, maintaining public safety, coordination with governmental agencies, minimizing environmental impacts and keeping the route as efficient and economical as possible.
Benczik also said it may be possible to get the state to adopt a section of the road as long as the project is completed according to state standards.
County commissioner president Brad Jackson said selecting a firm was a tough decision. All three firms were capable of handling the project.
Commissioner Ron Truex said his first choice was The Troyer Group. Commissioner Avis Gunter seconded the motion. Troyer was unanimously approved.
In another matter, Helen Hoy and Carole Gilbert, of the North Webster park board, asked the county commissioners for "their blessing" on getting a bike trail and greenway started in North Webster.
"First and foremost," Gilbert said, "this would bring the school children safely to school."
Ladson said the project has "potential" and he told Hoy and Gilbert to bring it to the commissioners because at some point, the county will have to allow it in their right of way.
County commissioners are president Brad Jackson, vice president Avis Gunter and Ron Truex. They meet at 9 a.m. every other Tuesday in the county courthouse, Warsaw.
