Dickinson County approves KDOT-funded project agreement for 1900 Avenue bridge

The Dickinson County Commission voted to approve a project agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation to replace a 93‑year‑old truss bridge on 1900 Avenue.

County Administrator Janelle Dockenjoy told commissioners the bridge was damaged two years ago, its load rating was lowered after temporary repairs and the county plans to straighten the adjacent curve and build a bypass to better accommodate truck traffic. The project is part of a local bridge program administered by KDOT, Dockenjoy said. She told the commission the county expects to receive state construction funding and would pay design, right‑of‑way, tree clearing and roughly $400,000 in local costs.

Dockenjoy said the county also expects to receive a credit check—about $170,000—from a previously closed bridge that will be applied toward the 1900 Avenue project. "So all told, we're probably going to be on the county side in that $400,000 range," she said. She described the arrangement as a reimbursement program under KDOT's cost‑share framework.

Commissioners did not debate a plan alternative during the regular meeting and did not state a formal timeline for construction; the agreement packet provided to commissioners contains the detailed contract and will be signed as part of the grant/contract process.

The commission approved the project agreement by voice vote. The packet reflects KDOT's construction funding limit and the county's 10 percent share for eligible costs, plus additional county responsibilities for design and right of way.

The commission's approval allows staff to finalize the agreement with KDOT and move toward design and right‑of‑way work prior to construction.