County to apply for high-risk rural road funding for intersection of K‑260 and K‑530; county share estimated

County public-works staff presented a proposed application for the state High-Risk Rural Roads funding program to reconstruct the intersection of roads identified as 260 and 530, citing crash history, poor sight distance and steep slopes. The staff member provided an engineer’s estimate and supporting photos.

The application describes the intersection as carrying approximately 4,700 vehicles per day and lists issues including poor sight distance, steep slopes, shoulder drop-offs and inadequate drainage. The total engineer’s estimate for reconstruction was presented as $1,336,000. A county share of approximately $269,000 was noted on the application; staff and commissioners acknowledged that some line items (for example, high unit costs for hot-mix asphalt) may be disallowed by the state and could be adjusted during bidding.

Staff noted the county submitted a similar application in a prior year but did not receive funding. Cross Engineering assisted in preparing the application and crash data from the sheriff’s department were included.

A commissioner moved to approve submission of the application and to authorize the chair to sign the application; the motion was seconded and commissioners directed staff to submit the paperwork. No formal roll-call vote naming commissioners was recorded in the transcript.

County staff said that if the state reduces allowable costs during review, the county would revise the bid items and proceed accordingly. The commission did not appropriate the local share at the meeting; commissioners authorized submission and signature only.