WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Thirteen of St. Joseph County’s 16 townships plan to take part in the 2021 matching-fund, road-improvement offer made by the county’s road commission.
St. Joseph County Commissioner Dan Czajkowski cited the information during the board’s meeting Tuesday. He said the matter was discussed at a recent Roads Committee meeting, which typically involves township officials and representatives from the road commission.
Combined, the participating townships are committing about $1 million to improve local roads. That amount will be matched by the road commission as part of a program now in its third year.
One other noteworthy development during the roads committee meeting was referenced by board chairman Dennis Allen and centered on Langley Covered Bridge.
He said the road commission is eyeing a major overhaul of the covered bridge in 2023. The $2 million project is being funded largely with grants and will maintain the integrity of the bridge for up to 20 years, Allen said.
Allen said the local share of funding the work amounts to about 10 percent of the projected cost.
Czajkowski said he is relieved the road commission has decided to not close the iconic bridge to vehicular traffic, as its board was considering a few years ago.
