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Franklin County approves KDOT agreement for K‑33 bridge at Wellsville; county role limited to removing encroachments
Summary
The commission approved KDOT project agreement number 21‑24 for a bridge replacement and related roundabout work at the Wellsville exit on K‑33. County staff said most responsibility rests with KDOT; the county agreed to remove encroachments from the right‑of‑way.
The Franklin County Commission on Sept. 3 voted to approve Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Project Agreement No. 21‑24, which covers a bridge replacement adjacent to the existing I‑35 bridge at the Wellsville (Pendleton) area and includes a planned roundabout at Tenth Street.
County staff and commissioners said the county’s role in the project is limited. The commission’s motion authorizes the county to sign the agreement and to remove any county encroachments from the public right‑of‑way as required by the project. County staff told commissioners that the bridge will be built adjacent to the existing structure so that traffic should remain on the route during construction.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the agreement does not cover other engineering work north of Wellsville that has drawn public concern. One commissioner noted comments from residents who worried about property impacts and the state’s early outreach; county staff said the county had spoken with KDOT engineers and understood the work covered by this agreement did not include the more controversial planning north of town.
The commission approved the project agreement by voice/roll call (recorded votes: Commissioner Wehmeyer — yes; Commissioner Mader — yes; Commissioner Dickinson — yes; Chair Harris — yes). County staff said they would sign the agreement so KDOT could proceed.
Commissioners asked staff to continue monitoring resident concerns and coordinate with KDOT and the city of Wellsville where appropriate.
