A major entry to Washington’s west side will be closing for 90 days, according to a report County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler gave to the Daviess County Commissioners Tuesday morning. Winkler said the replacement of the bridge on Old U.S. 50 west of Washington and the resurfacing of the road will have Old 50 closed from County Road 300 W. to County Road 150 W. for 90 days beginning May 5th. Winkler said detour signs will guide traffic around the construction zone. The commissioners also agreed to rent the vacant old highway garage office building to the company supervising the Old U.S. 50 project. The rent will be $750/month. The commissioners also discussed a potential legal situation with an out-of-area utility company installing equipment on the county’s right-of-way in the northern part of the county without permits or county approval. The commissioners instructed the Highway Department to not pay any bills received and to send a letter to the company requiring them to receive county permits and to meet county requirements before proceeding with new projects.
Commissioner Nathan Gabhart reported that the courthouse renovation remains on schedule, but Gabhart said that as the project nears its projected finish date, “it is getting to crunch time.”
The commissioners then heard a presentation from Holly Lagenour, representing Air Med Care. She presented options for membership in emergency air evacuation services for county employees and their families. The commissioners agreed to provide the benefit availability through payroll withholding to county employees. The benefit will cost each employee about $100 per year.
In other business, the commissioners approved a request from the Daviess County Airport to apply for two grants to assist with the addition of a new taxiway at the airport; they heard the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation quarterly report from Executive Director Bob Grewe, and the commissioners approved the 2026 Transit Resolution from Four Rivers and a request from the DSI Hospitality Training Center.
