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McPherson County approves yield signs, authorizes bridge materials and hires public works staff engineer
Summary
Commissioners approved resolution 2025-19 to install yield signs at Frontier Road and authorized $5,000 for steel plates for a railcar pipe purchase; Public Works announced hires, a new staff engineer and bridge project cost estimates.
The McPherson County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved a resolution to install yield signs on Frontier Road at the intersection with 209th (20 Ninth Avenue) and authorized purchases for multiple bridge projects and materials.
Public Works Director David Barnblest told commissioners that resolution number 2025-19 would place yield signs for eastbound and westbound traffic on Frontier Road at the 20 Ninth Avenue intersection; the board moved, voted and adopted the resolution by voice vote with Commissioners Becker, Kieser and Adel recorded as saying "Aye".
Barnblest also reported progress on several bridge projects. The county ordered a large railcar pipe (reported as a 10-foot diameter, 55-foot long unit) with a purchase price mentioned in discussion as about $25,000; Barnblest asked the board to authorize $5,000 to buy steel plates that county crews would weld onto the pipe, and the board approved that $5,000 expenditure.
Work on other bridges includes a low-water crossing at the site of a washed timber bridge (Bridge No. 257250) and an accelerated plan for Bridge No. 235210 (west of Maxwell Game Preserve, between 203rd and 204th). Barnblest estimated the replacement cost for Bridge No. 235210 at roughly $5,060,000 and said the county is pursuing design quotes for a concrete box structure. He also said state or federal disaster funds from recent storms had been requested by state officials but that any FEMA reimbursement would be contingent on eligibility and that money had not yet been received.
Barnblest introduced Elizabeth Hopp as a new staff engineer who will supervise techs, work on grants and assist on projects. The board approved hiring to fill a vacant maintenance-worker I position and approved moving a maintenance employee off probation after the employee met requirements, including completion of training toward a commercial driver—s license in some cases.
Public Works reported the US-56 corridor study and several intersection studies with KDOT involvement will begin in coming weeks and that the Groveland Bridge design bids are scheduled to open Sept. 30.
