OSWEGO — It’s likely that the Kansas Department of Transportation won’t have new funding streams for which counties can apply to improve roads and bridges.
That update came from a recent meeting that Labette County Public Works Director Sandy Krider attended. She briefed county commissioners on that meeting on Monday.
KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed told road and bridge supervisors not to expect new funding for bridges and roads or an increase in the 16.8% counties receive from fuel taxes collected. He suggested counties have hard conversations when considering road and bridge repairs on if the road should remain open. Road and bridge project costs have grown for a variety of reasons. Those costs impact the state as well for its projects.
Krider said one problem with closing roads is that someone owns that ground and may farm it, so they would need to have access to their land. “Almost every mile, someone owns the property. They have to be able to get to it,” Krider said.
Off system bridges get funding more frequently than Rural Secondary routes, which include 8000 Road that had the Pumpkin Creek bridge replaced in recent years. Money for RS route projects is extremely competitive, Krider said, and grant opportunities don’t come up frequently. Funding for the off system routes, which include non-state-highway roads maintained by counties, is not as competitive.
“I’m thrilled whenever we get one. Let me put it that way,” Krider said of funding for RS route projects.
She said she recently applied for funding for two bridges, one of them estimated to cost $1.5 million and the other $1.2 million. Saving for these bridge replacements takes years, she said.
The county levies 1 mill for the special bridge fund, but that money also goes for pipes that funnel water under roads and consulting fees, in addition to matching money for road and bridge work.
In other matters, the commission: — Discussed options for repairing or replacing two 2009 model John Deere motor graders. The cost of repairing them would be more than half of the cost of a new machine. Commissioners will weigh options and financing options at a future meeting.
— Approved the purchase of new road pipe from J&J Drainage and Welborn Sales at a cost totaling $154,537. Krider was able to save the county about $15,000 in the bidding by splitting out the larger pipe and purchasing it from Welborn.
— Heard an update from Krider on the trail derailment that happened last week near 13000 Road between Scott and Rooks. Five railcars hauling soybeans overturned.
