Public Works
The Division of Public Works consists of multiple divisions, serving unincorporated St. Joseph County, including Engineering, Highway, Bridge, Surveyor, Drainage, and Environmental. Some Duties and responsibilities are as follows:
- Respond to resident concerns related to roads, bridges, drainage , and environmental issues
- Maintain approximately 1,144 center line road miles, 262 bridges and structures, and 900 miles of ditches
- Issue permits for construction and utility work within the County Right-of-Way
- Plan, survey, design and inspect public works and capital improvement projects
- Prepare and review project plans, specifications, and contract documents
- Develop and implement a Storm-water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP)
- Review subdivision and site development plans for conformance with current standards
- Continually update road inventory and pavement management program
- Conduct traffic studies and engineering assessments
- Establish traffic regulations and controls with ordinances
- Facilitate inter-government agreements and legislation
- Maintain budget with federal aid and local funds
- Contract consultant engineering services
- Do my property taxes go towards road construction funding?
- Who decides which roads are paved each year, and how do they decide?
- How do I request a Stop, Speed Limit, Street ID or other sign on my road?
- How do I determine if my property is in the County, City, or Town?
- How and where do I get a "Children at Play" sign?
- Do I need a permit to construct or repave my driveway?
- How do I request a street light?
- When do I need a Utility Permit?
U.S Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant award letter for January 9, 2020.
- 2022 - Road & Highway Projects
- 2021 - Road & Highway Projects
- 2021 - Bridge Structures & Culverts Projects
- 2021 - Trails & Multi-Use Paths Projects
Cleveland and Beech Roundabout Project
The project consists of improving Level of Service of the Cleveland Road at Beech Road intersection by constructing a new roundabout in place of the existing 4-way stop condition. The project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023. The Environmental Categorical Exclusion Document, the Legal Notice of Planned Improvement, and the Preliminary Field Check Plans are posted and available for public view.
Douglas Road Corridor Reconstruction from Ivy Road to SR 23 including Intersection Improvement at Ironwood Road and Bridge Replacements on Douglas Road and Ironwood Road both over Juday Creek
Project consists of improving the intersection of Douglas Road and Ironwood Road by widening for additional turn lanes and upgrading the existing traffic signal. The project also includes two (2) bridge replacements over Juday Creek in Douglas Road and Ironwood Roads respectively, as well as a complete corridor reconstruction with widening from Ivy Road to SR 23 for added travel lanes, extending the multi-use path along the north side of Douglas Road from Twyckenham to connect with the sidewalks on SR 23, relocating utilities, building a right turn lane on SR 23 for northeast bound traffic and installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Douglas Road and Carmichael Road. Periodic closures are necessary to complete the work throughout the duration of the construction and will include posted detour routes to help guide traffic around the construction. Project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds.
Over $12M Project let in December 2020 with utility relocation beginning in 2021 and construction on-going from 2021 – 2024.
Consulting Engineers: DLZ (Design) and Lochmueller Group (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: Rieth-Riley Construction Co., Inc. South Bend, Indiana.
McKinley Highway Corridor Reconstruction from Ash Road to Birch Road
Project consists of widening for added travel lanes and sidewalks. This is the final phase of the McKinley Highway Reconstruction from Capital Avenue to the Elkhart County Line. Project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds. Engineering design is nearing completion and the project letting is set for August 2022 with construction on-going from 2022-2023.
Consulting Engineers: DLZ (Design) and TBD (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Pierce Road Corridor Reconstruction – U.S. 31 to Miami Highway
Project consists of improving the functional use of Pierce Road by reconstructing the roadway to provide safe lane widths and shoulders, building a structurally sufficient road subbase for heavy truck and agricultural traffic, and improving the roadside drainage. Project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds. Preliminary engineering design is underway with construction scheduled in 2023.
Consulting Engineers: Lochmueller Group (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Pierce Road Reconstruction DES#1702832 CE Environmental Document for Roadway Services 1 of 3
Pierce Road Reconstruction DES#1702832 CE Environmental Document for Roadway Services 2 of 3
Pierce Road Reconstruction DES#1702832 CE Environmental Document for Roadway Services 3 of 3
Pierce Road Reconstruction DES#1702832 Draft Preliminary Field Check Plans for Roadway Services
Cleveland Road & Beech Road Intersection Improvement
Project consists of constructing a new roundabout in place of the existing 4-way stop condition. Project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds. Preliminary engineering design is underway and projected to be ready for construction in 2023.
Consulting Engineers: Lochmueller Group (Design) and TBD (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Douglas Road & Bittersweet Road Intersection Improvement
Project consists of constructing a new roundabout in place of the existing 4-way stop condition. Project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds. Preliminary engineering design will begin in 2022 and projected to be ready for construction in 2025/2026.
Consulting Engineers: TBD (Design) and TBD (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #191 - Douglas Road over Juday Creek Replacement
Project consists of a complete replacement of existing bridge structure. Engineering design is complete and work is being performed as part of the Douglas Road Corridor Project. Project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds.
Project let in December 2020 with utility relocation beginning in 2021 and construction on-going from 2021 – 2024.
Consulting Engineers: DLZ (Design) and Lochmueller Group (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: Rieth-Riley Construction Co., Inc. South Bend, Indiana.
Bridge #192 - Ironwood Road over Juday Creek Replacement
Project consists of a complete replacement of existing bridge structure. Engineering design is complete and work is being performed as part of the Douglas Road Corridor Project. Project is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds.
Project let in December 2020 with utility relocation beginning in 2021 and construction on-going from 2021 – 2024.
Consulting Engineers: DLZ (Design) and Lochmueller Group (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: Rieth-Riley Construction Co., Inc. South Bend, Indiana.
Bridge #197 and #196 – Mayflower Road over Norfolk Southern/NICTD Railroads ad Ardmore Trail Rehabilitation
Project consists of rehabilitating both bridge structures, replacing the deck and approaches. Bridge #197 is funded using Federal Aid and Local Funds while Bridge #196 is funded 100% locally. The two structures are adjacent to one another and will be let for construction simultaneously to minimize disruption to the travelling public during construction and expedite the rehabilitation project. Engineering design began in 2020 and projected to be ready for construction in 2023/2024.
Consulting Engineers: DLZ (Design) and TBD (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #204 – Cedar Road over St. Joseph River Rehabilitation
Project is a partnership with the City of Mishawaka to enhance their Riverwalk transportation system and includes extending a pedestrian route across the Cedar Street Bridge and widen its sidewalk across the St. Joseph River. The projects will also rehabilitate certain elements on the existing structure such as updating the barrier rails, removing and replacing a portion of the desk to accommodate a wider sidewalk, widening piers and the end bent, cleaning and painting existing structural steel, installing lighting on the bridge, and other minor repairs or maintenance items. Engineering design is underway and projected to be ready for construction in 2023.
Consulting Engineers: DLZ (Design) and TBD (Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #208 – Sample Street over St. Joseph River Rehabilitation
Project consists of milling and overlaying the concrete deck and patching bridge beam ends. Engineering design is set to begin in 2021 and construction should begin in 2024.
Consulting Engineers: TBD (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #214 - Auten Road over St. Joseph River Rehabilitation
Project consists of rehabilitating the bridge supports such as the piers and end bents, cleaning and re-painting the structure, replacing the guardrail, and improving scour protection measures. Engineering design is set to begin in 2021 and construction should begin in 2021/2022.
Consulting Engineers: TBD (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #215 - Colfax Street over St. Joseph River Rehabilitation
Project consists of rehabilitating the bridge supports such as the abutments, milling and overlaying approach span deck, replacing bridge joints, sealing cracks, and improving scour protection measures. Engineering design is set to begin in 2021 and construction should begin in 2022.
Consulting Engineers: TBD (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #211 – Angela Boulevard Street over St. Joseph River Rehabilitation
Project consists of replacing expansion deck joints. Engineering design is set to begin in 2021 and construction should begin in 2022.
Consulting Engineers: TBD (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #301 - Main Street over Indiana Toll Road (ITR) Rehabilitation
Project consists of replacing the bridge approaches, milling and overlaying the deck, cleaning and painting structural steel, sealing cracks and repairing piers, and improving expansion joints. Engineering design is set to begin in 2021 and construction should begin in 2023.
Consulting Engineers: TBD (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Bridge #302 - Portage Avenue over Indiana Toll Road (ITR) Rehabilitation
Project consists of replacing the bridge approaches, milling and overlaying the deck, cleaning and painting structural steel, and replacing terminal joints. Engineering design is set to begin in 2021 and construction should begin in 2023.
Consulting Engineers: TBD (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD
Small Structure #580 - Inwood Road over Niespodziany Ditch
Project consists of replacing the small structure to improve flow and widen clear roadway width, upgrading safety elements and necessary erosion control. Engineering design is nearing completion and projected to ready for construction in 2021-2022.
Consulting Engineers: Lochmueller Group (Design)
Contractor: TBD
Small Structure #625 - Strawberry Road over Niespodziany Ditch
Project consists of replacing the small structure to improve flow and widen clear roadway width, upgrading safety elements and necessary erosion control. Engineering design is nearing completion and projected to ready for construction in 2021-2022.
Consulting Engineers: Lochmueller Group (Design)
Contractor: TBD
Auten Trail - from Laurel Road to SR 933
Project consists of constructing a new multi-use path adjacent to the north side of Auten Road and improving safety with street lights and a HAWK signal at the LaSalle Trail crossing, east of Kenilworth Road. Engineering design is underway, right-of-way secured and projected to be ready for construction in Fall of 2021.
Consulting Engineers: Troyer Group (Design and Construction Inspection)
Contractor: TBD