Coffey County road crew seeks stop-sign resolution, orders skid loader and solicits asphalt bids

The Coffey County Road and Bridge superintendent reported progress on work related to 58 Highway and Eighth Road and asked the commission to expect a stop-sign resolution next week to allow temporary traffic controls at incoming intersections while hauling continues.

Superintendent Ryan told the board crews placed dust control on Eighth Road and were preparing signage; he said the county needs a formal resolution before the temporary stop signs are fully authorized and that County Engineer Keith Browning is reviewing the draft resolution. Commissioners gave verbal approval to proceed with installation and agreed to add the resolution to the next meeting agenda for formal action.

The board accepted a bid recommendation to purchase a John Deere skid loader from Murphy Tractor (Beeca, Kansas) as the best bid, total quoted in the meeting transcript as $103,480, to be charged to the general fund public works equipment line. The motion was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Barker and the board approved the purchase.

Road and Bridge also received approval to solicit sealed bids for two hot-mix asphalt projects: approximately 8 miles of 3-inch hot mix overlay on Angus Road (58 Highway to Fourteenth Road) and approximately 4.5 miles of 2-inch hot mix overlay on Pawnee Road (Twelfth Road to Sixteenth Road / Jacobs Creek Road area). Funds for both projects were listed as the general fund public works asphalt line item; one project also referenced the special highway improvement fund.

Ryan also briefed commissioners on routine material needs: the department expects to procure 1,120 feet (40-foot lengths) of 10.75-inch outside-diameter steel casing in 40-foot lengths (total cost $28,817.60) for use on shallow agricultural entrances and tight-ditch areas. He said the casing allows installations with minimal cover in locations that would otherwise require deeper ditching for larger pipe.