Public works says chip-and-seal work mostly complete; officials push for KDOT local-consult support for major projects

Leavenworth County public-works staff reported progress on road maintenance, described staffing pressures and urged commissioners and supporters to participate in upcoming KDOT local-consult meetings to advance several large transportation projects.

Road work and chip-and-seal: Public-works staff said mainline chip-and-seal work for the year is complete and crews have begun stripe work; one subdivision of about 10 on this year’s maintenance cycle remains in progress. Above-average autumn temperatures allowed crews to continue work later than typical, but staff warned colder weather could limit remaining work and require different oil mixes for proper set-up.

Staffing and fleet: Road and bridge staff said turnover has been high over the past 12 months (roughly 15–16 positions affected) and that many new dump-truck drivers have limited or no snowplow experience. Staff are developing a multi-tier wage and training structure with quantifiable milestones to improve retention and create career progression for operators; a work session on the proposal is planned.

Grants and projects: Public-works staff summarized major grants and project funding the county has secured in recent years—citing roughly $62 million in federal, state and regional awards for road, bridge, transit and economic-development projects—and listed specific grants, including a $2 million congressional appropriation for County Road 30 (project 230 Fifth Street) and a pending $6.2 million congressional FY26 allocation for phase 3 of the Leavenworth County connector project (subject to congressional appropriations). Staff also said a Safe Streets for All grant application is pending for approximately $23 million.

KDOT local-consult meetings: Staff urged commissioners and stakeholders to attend a local-consult meeting at Great Wolf Lodge on Oct. 21 and a virtual session on Oct. 28. Public-works staff said the meetings include breakout sessions where participants can speak and vote to prioritize local projects; staff advised handing decision-makers concise talking points and materials and suggested using a QR code linking to project details.

Quote from staff: "We have secured about $62,000,000 in grant writing and funding in the last number of years," a public-works official said, noting many projects were grant-dependent and that turnout at consult meetings affects project prioritization.

Next steps: Staff will finalize talking points and distribute materials to commissioners and local partners ahead of the KDOT meetings; they will also return with details on the proposed wage-and-training plan for road operations.