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Commission finalizes April 30 road tour route; discusses overlays, bridges, culverts and grant prospects
Summary
Commissioners confirmed an April 30 road tour, discussed planned overlays and seal coats, bridge grant applications, potential culvert replacements, and several problem stretches on Old Highway 40 and other county roads.
The commission finalized plans for a county road tour on April 30 to review potential overlay, seal-coat and bridge projects and discussed priorities including Old Highway 40, the Y intersection near the bypass, and several bridge replacement candidates.
Public Works Director Brenda McKay and County Administrator Darren Myers outlined the 2025 maintenance map and proposed stops for the tour. Commissioners requested the tour include: a multi-mile section of 200th and Tenth Avenue between Munger Road and Highway 40, portions of Old Highway 40 in Canterbury, Piper Avenue and other overlay candidates, and a bridge near South Ellis that may require temporary closure during replacement.
McKay explained technical details for chip-seal work—aggregate sample testing, emulsion compatibility (cationic vs anionic), and correct oil-application rates—saying incorrect rates or mismatched materials can cause chips to fail. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with city public-works contacts and invited city staff to participate in the tour and a planned lunch stop in Ellis. The tour will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a lunch stop in Ellis to review bridge estimates and options.
The commission and staff discussed bridge-replacement strategy and grant timing. Staff noted they expect KDOT’s bridge-grant (KLVIP) announcements in April, with application windows running several weeks; the county plans to package multiple bridge replacements in a single grant application to improve scoring. For one county bridge, engineering work suggested replacing it with a culvert rather than a full bridge, which would reduce cost and complexity if approved under grant funding.
Commissioners and staff also reviewed pavement types and concrete-panel issues along Highway 40 east of Walker, noting that buckled or broken concrete panels can be managed with asphalt overlays in some stretches and that material choice and timing affect durability. Staff said they will bring a printed copy of the capital and bridge plan for commissioners to review during the tour.
Ending
The commission set a road tour for April 30, 8:30 a.m., asked staff to prepare maps and capital-plan summaries for review, and requested outreach to city staff so municipal representatives can attend and discuss shared projects and bridge options.
