Shawnee County awards roughly $10 million road contract, orders traffic controls and school outreach

Shawnee County commissioners voted March 6 to award a low bid to Bettis Asphalt and Construction Company of Topeka for a road improvement project on Northwest 40 Sixth between Fielding and Rochester roads and approved related construction oversight and ancillary public-works items.

The award, described by county staff as a little over $10 million and funded from the county's half-cent retailer sales tax program, passed on a 3-0 vote. Commissioners also approved an amendment to the project's design/inspection contract so the county will have on-site construction engineering and quality oversight during the work.

County officials said the project will require signed detours and additional traffic controls and urged coordinated outreach to the Seaman School District to prevent students from trying to cross U.S. 75 at the work site. Commissioners emphasized steps to enforce detours, limit safety risks and keep the public informed throughout construction.

Kurt Neath, director of public works, told commissioners the low bid came from Bettis Asphalt and Construction and recommended acceptance. "The low bid was presented by Bettis Asphalt and Construction," Neath said. He described two signed detour routes the county will post and said the county has substituted Button Road for one of the original detour paths that used the US 75 intersection.

Jeff Hunt, deputy director of public works, said he met with Seaman's transportation specialist and exchanged contact information so the district would be updated as plans evolve. "They are aware of the construction," Hunt said. Commissioners asked staff to request an immediate email blast from Seaman informing parents and bus drivers of assigned detours.

Commissioners discussed adding all-way stop signs at the intersections of Northwest 60 Second and Button Road and Northwest 60 Second and Rochester Road if needed to slow drivers and direct them to detours. Neath said formal regulatory changes to add all-way stops would be brought back to the commission for approval of signing.

Members raised schedule and cost considerations. Neal staff told commissioners the engineer's estimate for the project had been about $13 million and the low bid came in roughly $3 million under that estimate. The board noted the county recently increased liquidated-damage provisions for contractors and said it would meet regularly with the contractor to monitor progress.

Commissioners set a target start and public-notice timeline: staff said a public notice would be sent after the award; Neath and Hunt said they would notify the Seaman district and urged multiple messages before spring break. Commissioners also asked that county communications provide regular status updates during construction so residents can see progress even when crews are not visible.

Votes at a glance: - Award bid letting to Bettis Asphalt and Construction Company (contract C79-2025) for the Northwest 40 Sixth road improvement project; motion to award passed 3-0. - Approve amendment No. 1 to contract C6363-202? (construction inspection/CE) to provide project inspection and construction engineering; passed 3-0. - Approve amendment No. 1 to contract C351-2019 with Finney & Turnipseed for additional design and CE services related to a culvert replacement on Southeast Barrington Road; passed 3-0. - Approve project budget and solicitation to bid for the Southeast Barrington culvert replacement (construction budget increased from earlier estimate to $1,800,000); passed 3-0. - Approve project budget and solicit bids for maintenance/repairs to four county parking lots (estimated around $180,000); passed 3-0. - Approve solicitation of bids for a pavement replacement project on Southeast Croco Road near SE 201st Street (work under traffic, planned schedule discussed); passed 3-0. - Approve contract C78-2025 with Cunningham Recreation for a shade structure at the Lake Shawnee off-leash dog area using CIP and parkland funds; passed 3-0.

Discussion vs. decision The commission's deliberations mixed operational direction, safety discussion and formal votes. Staff presented the bid and recommended award; commissioners directed staff to coordinate school-district outreach, prepare traffic-control signing (including potential all-way stops), and to report back with any regulatory signing changes. Formal actions were limited to awarding contracts, approving design/inspection amendments and approving project budgets; no policy changes were adopted.

Background and context Neath and other public-works staff described two signed detour routes and additional detour alternatives on Rochester Road and 30 Fifth Street (as shown on the project maps prepared by the county's design consultant). Neath said the county would substitute Button Road for a detour that previously used the US 75 intersection to reduce intersection crossing at US 75. Commissioners said timing was appropriate given other regional projects and that delaying the work would likely increase cost and not reduce local inconvenience.

Next steps County staff will finalize contract paperwork and post public notices. Neath said he will return to the commission if regulatory signing changes (such as adding all-way stop signs) are necessary. Staff also committed to contacting the Seaman School District with a request to notify parents, students and bus drivers of detours and discouraged crossings at Highway 75 during construction.

Sources: Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners meeting transcript, March 6 (public works presentation and motions).