County hears $2 million estimate, two-year timeline for proposed U.S. 287 weigh station

At a Sept. 5 Wichita County Commissioners Court meeting, consultants from Boyd PLLC presented a conceptual plan and budgetary estimate for a proposed weigh station near U.S. 287 and Burnett Ranch Road. The court heard details about site layout, utilities, inspection facilities and staging options intended to allow the county to decide whether to advance design work.

The consultant, Blaine Boswell of Cornette, Probes and Boyd PLLC, said the conservative, high-end budget estimate runs in the low millions and that construction could be phased so the county spreads costs over multiple fiscal years. Boswell said the team envisions beginning site work and utilities in an initial phase and completing buildings and finish work in a later phase. He estimated about two years from notice to proceed to doors open if the county proceeded with design and construction together.

Why it matters: County officials said the weigh station could improve roadway safety, reduce overweight-damage to local roads and produce enforcement and citation activity that can generate revenue. Commissioners and county staff raised questions about likely utilization, operating commitments from the Texas…