VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Inflation over the past three years has claimed yet another construction project.
In 2020, the Van Buren County Board of County Road Commissioners hired a firm to complete a feasibility study that outlined the operational needs of the County as well as the current condition of Road Commission’s facilities. The study concluded that the Road Commission’s facilities needed a substantial investment to remain effectively operational.
From that study, the Board moved forward with recommendations to replace the Bangor facility and make improvements to the Lawrence Administrative facility.
That was in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the nation’s economy, which in turn, caused inflation rates to skyrocket along with building costs, making the bids for the Bangor Garage to come in at more than double the original cost estimates with a projection that the Lawrence Administrative facility improvement costs would follow suit.
At its June 7, 2023 meeting, the Board of County Road Commissioners unanimously decided to postpone both the replacement of the Bangor Garage facility and the improvements at the Lawrence Administrative office, citing the high cost to complete both projects would result in little to no money to maintain remaining facilities, likely reducing the amount funding available for road work during the payoff period of the bond.
Commissioners say that for the foreseeable future, the Van Buren County Road Commission will continue to commit funds to correct deficiencies at all three Road Commission facilities and continue its mission to improve the roads in Van Buren County.
“The Board of County Road Commissioners of Van Buren County, and its staff are very thankful to the voters of the County who have committed to a county-wide millage to improve roads,” said Bret Witkowski, Managing Director of the Road Commission.
“Over the coming years we will continue to further the mission of the Road Commission, which is to provide a ‘safe and efficient road, bridge, and non-motorized transportation network through sound financial decisions made in the best interest of the motoring public that will save lives, time and money’. In addition, we will commit to improve the effectiveness of each Road Commission facility for the benefit of both our employees, and for the motorists of Van Buren County.”
