North Webster Clerk-Treasurer Leigh Ann Jessop, left, and Rick Pharis of Triad Associates listen as members of the North Webster Town Council discuss the bid proposals for the 2022 Community Crossings Fund building project. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Members of the North Webster Town Council met in special session Wednesday morning to review bids for the 2023 Community Crossings Grant project that will see the repair of six streets in town. The bids were facilitated by Rick Pharis of Triad Associates, who received three proposals for the project.

Niblock Excavating presented the lowest bid at $316,960.67. and was awarded the contract by the unanimous vote of the quorum of two council members who were in attendance. Council member Lisa Strombeck was unable to be present at the meeting.

Also submitting bids were Phend and Brown, $392,165.21; and Brooks Construction, $338,403.

Indiana Department of Transportation will provide 75% of the funding for the project, which comes out to $237,720.50. The town will be responsible for the remaining 25%, totaling $79,240.17. Initially, the project was estimated to cost approximately $700,000, with the town committing up to $181,000 for its part.

According to Pharis, work will not begin until INDOT has submitted its portion of the cost to the town.

“This is a great program for all communities, but especially for towns and communities of 10,000 population or less,” said Pharis. “INDOT will pay 75%. if you have 10,001, you lose 25%, INDOT will only pay 50% of the cost for larger communities.”

The six North Webster streets to be included in the 2022 Community Crossings Grant are:

• First Street from SR 13 to East Street;

• Blaine Street from Crystal Flash Road to the south entrance of North Webster Elementary School;

• Dixie Drive from Boydston Mill Street to Himes Street;

• East Street from North Street to East George Street;

• Effie Mae Street from SR 13 to Dixie Drive;

• East Madison Street from East Street to Mulberry Street.