Higher Than Expected Cost Cancels St. Mary's Road Rehab Project

Franklin County Commissioners voted April 1 to cancel various improvements for St. Mary's Road.

(Franklin County, Ind.) - Franklin County motorists will have to put up with the deterioration of St. Mary’s Road for the foreseeable future.

Franklin County Commissioners have slammed the brakes on a project to make repairs to the road near Brookville. The St. Mary’s Road project would have included slide stabilization, new guardrails, pavement, and a bridge replacement.

The Franklin County Observer newsletter reports commissioners got word from the Indiana Department of Transportation that the cost of the project has almost doubled from $1.2 million, up to $2.3 million. However, federal funding for the project has not increased.

The county would be on the hook for the additional $1.1 million from the price increase. Commissioners voted to cancel the project for now.

Commissioner Tom Linkel cited two reasons for the increase, per The Observer. The county’s former engineer underestimated the cost several years ago when the county applied for federal funding. Also, since the grant was awarded in 2017, contractors have raised their prices to cover higher labor costs due to a shortage of workers.  

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.
Rating *

Events

Two Pools of Mosquitos Tested Positive for West Nile Virus in Ohio County

No human cases of West Nile Virus have been detected in Ohio County.

2027 DCF Scholarship Applications Now Available for High School Seniors

Scholarships are available for students at five area high schools.

Garbage Truck Fire Reported at Milan High School

This is the second fire of this type within two months at the same location.

High School Baseball Fields Light up Across Indiana to Honor Late Jennings Co. Coach

The show of support to the Sigler family and Jennings County community was strong on Thursday night.

Local Sports Report - September 17, 2026

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

Switz. Co. Kicker Nails Record Long Field Goal, Earns MIFC Weekly Honors

See other top performers in the MIFC for Week 4

On Air

Your Hometown Radio Station playing
Kane Brown - One Mississippi

Tracy Byrd Holdin' Heaven 2:32
Jon Pardi Honkytonk Hollywood 2:27
Carrie Underwood Drinking Alone 2:23
Pam Tillis When You Walk In The Room 2:20