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Chase County scales multi-bridge plan, submits Build Kansas application for preliminary engineering
Summary
County staff scaled a multi-bridge proposal from about $61 million to roughly $28.7 million and submitted a Build Kansas preliminary engineering grant application for $2,469,000. Officials said award decisions and matching requirements could expose the county to PE costs if the application is not funded.
Unidentified Speaker 9 briefed commissioners on a multi-bridge application submitted to the Build Kansas program that targets six bridges on Middle Creek Road and an additional bridge on Sharp/Bloody Creek. The commission was told the original package was estimated at about $61 million and that staff scaled the project to approximately $28.7 million to better match award criteria and economic benefit priorities.
Two engineering estimates for preliminary engineering (PE) were cited—about $760,000 and about $2,400,000—so staff submitted a PE request of $2,469,000, just under the portal ceiling of $2.5 million. Unidentified Speaker 9 said the PE application was filed within minutes of the portal opening and characterized the submission as first-come, first-served for that component.
If the PE grant is not awarded, the county may need to fund roughly $2,000,000 to complete PE work and make the application competitive; if PE is in hand, construction match for the county was estimated at about $1,400,000 for the selected bridges. Construction cost estimates discussed were in the range of $28,000,000–$28,700,000 depending on contingencies and inflation assumptions. Staff discussed financing options including bridge bonds and low-interest federal loan funds from bipartisan infrastructure programs.
Unidentified Speaker 9 said the Build Kansas grant deadline is Nov. 1 and explained timing constraints: once funds are obligated, recipients have three years to meet milestones and five years to expend obligated funds (availability discussed through 2033). Commissioners discussed scheduling a special work day to review bond options and potential contractor/engineering partners; Osage County was referenced as a partner with ready projects that could help meet federal timing obligations.
Separately, commissioners were asked to sign an agreement with KDOT for the Wai Wai Road bridge project and for Connie Pretzer to attest the signature page so the county can submit required paperwork by the 10th to move that project forward.
