Huntingburg considering options for 4th Street improvements

The Huntingburg Board of Public Works and Safety delayed a decision on an option to repair Fourth Street.

The board has been working with VS Engineering to develop alternatives to address the condition of the pavers and subsurface in the street. Traffic on the street and the increased impact of stopping and accelerating at intersections have created valleys in the roadway since it was completed in 2020.

Engineers from VS Engineering presented five alternatives to address the issues, ranging from targeted repairs to full replacement of the existing brick paver surface.

Option 1 – Concrete Aprons with Re-bedded Pavers: This option involves installing concrete pads beneath the existing brick pavers at critical stopping areas — specifically in front of stop signs and at U.S. 231 — based on a calculated stopping distance of about 60 feet. All travel lane bricks would be pulled up, re-bedded on compacted stone, and relaid. The concrete aprons would include weep holes to preserve drainage through the pavers. Engineers estimate a lifespan of more than 50 years with regular maintenance, and construction would take approximately 20 days per intersection. The existing look of Fourth Street would be fully preserved.

Option 2 – Full Concrete Base with Pavers on Top: Similar to Option 1, but the concrete base would extend under the entire length of the travel lanes rather than just at intersections. Bricks would be relaid on top, weep holes would maintain permeability, and the street’s appearance would remain unchanged. This option also carries an expected lifespan exceeding 50 years.

Option 3 – Remove Pavers, Replace with Asphalt (HMA): This option would remove the brick pavers entirely and replace them with a standard hot-mix asphalt surface. It was noted as the most cost-effective choice, with a design life of approximately 30 years. However, engineers cautioned that over time, separation could develop between the asphalt and the concrete headers, and the appearance would be a significant departure from the current brick streetscape. The existing drainage infrastructure was noted to be capable of handling an impermeable surface.

Option 4 – Remove Pavers, Replace with Standard Concrete: Pavers would be replaced with conventional concrete, offering a slightly longer lifespan than asphalt — around 50 years. Concrete ties in more smoothly with the existing concrete headers, reducing the separation risk that asphalt presents. The appearance would differ from the current brick surface, and utility cuts over the years would result in visible patching and potential color variation.

Option 5 – Remove Pavers, Replace with Decorative Stamped Concrete: This option mirrors Option 4 but adds a decorative stamped pattern to the concrete surface to better replicate the character of the existing brick street. It has an estimated lifespan of approximately 50 years with regular maintenance, including annual sealing. Engineers noted a significant drawback: if utility work ever requires cutting into the surface, matching the original stamp pattern and color would be extremely difficult, leaving permanent visual inconsistencies.

Board member Justin Schmett expressed some skepticism about the most expensive option: removing the pavers, installing a concrete base and reinstalling the pavers.

“With as tight as money is everywhere, I really could see spending an extra $300,000,” he said.

Street Superintendent Jason Stamm pointed out that replacing the pavers with concrete or asphalt would be easier to maintain. “There’s no doubt that the easiest, form our standpoint, to repair will either be asphalt or concrete,” he said.

Mayor Neil Elkins downplayed the importance of maintaining the street’s current appearance. “Frankly, I’ve never understood the concept of trying to make a road look pretty anyway,” he said. “It’s there to move traffic. We don’t want it to look bad. Obviously, we want it to be safe. We can clean snow. We can do our parades, finally.”

He added that the road’s aesthetics are a low priority.

“I feel like concrete with crack sealing would look better than bricks that drop three inches,” Schmett said.

The group acknowledged that concrete would cost 30% more than asphalt but would last 50 years compared to asphalt’s 30-year lifespan. “I think in the longevity, concrete will be cheaper than asphalt,” Schmett said.

Officials note that any decision exceeding $400,000 will require council appropriation. The city has endowment funds that would cover a portion of the costs for more expensive options, but not the full amount.

The group has decided to postpone a final decision until May 2026 and to schedule a follow-up call with two council members to address remaining questions. Mayor Elkins said he had spoken with the merchants but hadn’t received any feedback yet.