Atchison County awards Ottawa Road Phase 2 contract, approves culverts and bridge-plank purchases; loader repainting passes 2-1

Atchison County commissioners on Tuesday awarded a bid for the Ottawa Road Phase 2 reconstruction project to King’s Construction and approved several related purchase orders for culverts and bridge planks, while narrowly approving a painting contract for a county wheel loader.

The county’s road and bridge superintendent, Joe Snyder, told the commission that two bids were opened and King’s Construction submitted the low bid of $1,218,022.30, about $132,183 below the engineer’s estimate. Commissioners voted to accept the low bid and move forward with King’s Construction for the Phase 2 project.

Snyder also requested purchase orders tied to the Ottawa Road work: two 60-by-40 arch metal culverts for $10,812.34 that will be charged to the project budget and a bulk order of wooden bridge planks for $19,495.39 to replenish inventory used for emergency bridge repairs. Both purchase orders were approved unanimously.

Separately, the commission considered a purchase order to prep and paint a 2018 CAT wheel loader that has extensive rust. The road superintendent presented photos and said the work would stop further deterioration. The motion to approve the painting contract passed 2-1 after one commissioner said the county’s funding shortage made the repainting a lower priority.

The commissioners also discussed an additional $20,000 request for extra engineering related to Ottawa Road; they set that item aside for further review and did not vote on it at the meeting.

In other road and bridge business, the board approved a consultant-client agreement with BG Consultants for design and bidding services for a new Road & Bridge maintenance facility at the Mead Road site. The contract covers architectural, structural and MEP design and construction-phase services and was approved 2-1. County staff said the fee will be paid from previously allocated funds.

All the items were presented by Road & Bridge Superintendent Joe Snyder and considered during the April 8 meeting’s road and bridge agenda.

Votes at a glance - Award construction contract, Ottawa Road Phase 2 (King’s Construction, $1,218,022.30): approved, tally recorded as 3–0. - Purchase order, two 60x40 arch culverts ($10,812.34): approved, 3–0. - Purchase order, bridge plank stock (Wheeler; $19,495.39): approved, 3–0. - Purchase order, prep/paint 2018 CAT wheel loader ($21,687.20 / listed in discussion as $21,006.87): approved, 2–1 (one commissioner opposed). - Schwab Eaton Engineering additional $20,000 for Ottawa Road engineering: set aside for follow-up; no vote recorded. - Consultant agreement, BG Consultants (Atchison County Road & Bridge facility design and bidding): approved, 2–1.

What commissioners said Road and bridge superintendent Joe Snyder outlined the bids and timeline, noting the King’s Construction start date for Phase 2 was presented in the bid package. Commissioners emphasized limited county funding and the need to prioritize urgent road work while proceeding with the Ottawa Road project as scheduled.

The board directed staff to bring contract documents and clarifying materials back in a workshop on follow-up items where costs or scopes were unclear.

Context and next steps County staff said culvert deliveries and remaining installation work will be coordinated with the contractor schedule; the board also discussed notifying residents affected by the Ottawa Road project before construction begins. The engineering PO for additional services will be revisited once county staff assemble contract documents and clarify what additional work the $20,000 would cover.