Founded in 1821, Bartholomew County is located in the southeastern part of the state with Columbus serving as the county seat. Covering 409 square miles, it lies mostly in the level areas surrounding the East Fork of the White River and its tributaries. The county is intersected by Interstate Highway 65 and U.S. Highway 31 which provide transportation for its commerce, along with one rail line that moves millions of tons of freight through the county annually. Agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism make up the majority of the county's economy.
Prior to overlaying a road with asphalt, the highway department will berm or remove the buildup along the edge to allow the stone to be exposed and drain water that might be standing on the edge. This allows for better drainage off the road and allows the road to be paved as wide as possible.