Blackford County Highway Department Begins Paving Season, New Salt Shed Approved

From the Blackford County Council meeting on May 6, 2026

The Blackford County Highway Department will begin pug mix road paving next week using Central Paving's pug mill, with 2,400 tons of material planned. The department aims to complete at least one full mile of paving plus additional patchwork.

County commissioners approved a $189,350 contract with Clear Heights Construction on May 4 for a new salt shed measuring 72 feet wide and 64 feet deep. The structure will store salt, dry sand for chemical spill absorption, and equipment.

County Road 300 East has been upgraded as a delivery route for the Lake Trout Solar project. The road received a ground concrete base stabilized with six inches of stone. Compaction tests were conducted May 7.

The highway superintendent also reported a safety incident last week in Montpelier where a driver ignored a flagger and drove straight through an active work zone. Crews have been outfitted with new bright yellow safety uniforms.

The county transfer station will be open Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Source: YouTube transcript — County Council meeting, May 6, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.