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Atchison County approves Finney Road bridge contract; opens multiple bids for Ottawa Road culvert replacements

2627455 · January 13, 2025

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Summary

The commission awarded a $179,826 contract for a Finney Road bridge to Norfolk Contracting and opened bids for Ottawa Road phase 1 culvert replacements; commissioners discussed funding, scheduling and grant possibilities.

The Atchison County Commission voted Jan. 7 to award a contract to Norfolk Contracting Inc. for replacement work on the Finney Road bridge, accepting the bid of $179,826 to be paid from the county’s Special Highway fund in 2025.

Road and Bridge Superintendent Joe Snyder briefed the commission on the Finney Road span, describing it as a heavily traveled minor route used for agricultural traffic and as a connection to Highway 73. Snyder said precast slabs and an accelerated schedule could reduce on-site time; commissioners noted the contract includes engineering and permitting. Snyder and Finance Director Mark Seltner told the board that although the commission had budgeted $200,000 for the project (leaving contingency for additional piling or unforeseen work), the awarded contract was $179,826 and that any additional piling would require additional approval and a supplemental authorization.

The commission also approved a $9,000 purchase order to Wilburn Flatwork and Construction (the lower of two concrete-pour estimates) for work on the 200 Nineteenth River Road bridge.

At a scheduled bid opening, Road and Bridge received multiple bids for Ottawa Road phase 1 culvert replacements (246 Road and 260 Second Road). Bids ranged widely; several bidders and amounts read on the record included: TUNKS (presented as "TUNKS") $175,630; Olson (listed bid) $225,424; Kings Construction $257,099; Westland Construction $261,400; other bidders listed with higher amounts. The commission did not award the Ottawa Road contracts that day and agreed to delay award to the organizational meeting on Jan. 13 to allow staff and engineers to review bid packages and provide a recommended award.

Snyder and commissioners discussed funding for Special Highway projects, noting that the 2025 Special Highway budget line had been set at $500,000 but that total funds available for projects after transfers and committed items were greater (Snyder indicated a calculation of roughly $1,433,000 total funds available before commitments). Snyder said completing the Finney Road work sooner would ease traffic disruptions and that some work (precast slabs) could be manufactured in warm conditions for quick installation.

The motion to award the Finney Road bridge and to approve the Wilburn Flatwork purchase order carried by recorded voice vote as entered in the meeting minutes (3–0). The Ottawa Road bid opening was treated as an administrative bid opening; award was deferred to Jan. 13, 2025.