Atchison commission approves KDOT-funded Patriot Street bridge replacement; city pays prior design costs

The Atchison City Commission on Monday authorized the mayor to sign a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resolution awarding the Patriot Street bridge replacement project to Reece Construction for $722,157, with construction to be 100% funded by KDOT.

Public Works Director Clinton McNamee told commissioners that construction bids came in ‘‘at 722,000 and some change. So well under the 1,200,000.’’ He said the city had already paid for design, right-of-way acquisition and rerouting a sewer main attached to the old bridge, and that those costs totaled about $264,000.

The vote was moved by Commissioner Slattery, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, and carried with four ayes; Vice Mayor Wilcox abstained. Mayor La Rochelle Young presided over the vote.

Nut graf: The vote commits KDOT funds to replace the Patriot Street crossing with a concrete culvert and assigns Reece Construction as the contractor. The commission did not commit city funds for construction, but city-paid preparatory work was noted as an existing expenditure.

Commissioners and staff described the project as replacing the former bridge with a concrete culvert and noted the city’s prior expenses related to design, right-of-way and utility work. McNamee said the construction inspection contract discussed at a prior meeting will also be fully funded through KDOT as long as construction stays below KDOT’s $1.2 million threshold.

The formal motion authorized the mayor and city staff to execute the KDOT resolution and related documents to proceed with award to Reece Construction. The commission did not vote to allocate additional city construction funds during the meeting.

Ending: With the motion approved, staff may proceed with KDOT-required paperwork and start coordination with the contractor and inspection teams. No additional city construction appropriation was approved at the meeting.