The Marion County Road Department has had a lighter summer than usual. Some projects that were planned have been delayed, partially due to COVID-19. County Engineer Tyler Christian says that some financial uncertainties have caused the department to push some project bid lettings to January to get a better idea of revenue impacts.
“We actually have had a lighter construction year than planned because we had some projects planned to be let in July that were delayed due to COVID-19, and uncertainties in revenue for our road department activities and our farm to market account. So we’ve delayed those bid lettings to January. At this time, we plan to proceed with them then, but just wanted a better idea of what our revenue impacts were going to be prior to letting those projects.”
Despite the lighter schedule, the department is currently in the process of its yearly pavement remarking on all county roads. Christian says that this requires a long train of equipment, and reminds motorists to use caution in construction zones.