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Ford County engineer reports on highways, bridges and renewable projects; commissioners approve temporary easement for bridge work
Summary
Engineer Jon Halbgewachs updated the board on highway and bridge projects, renewable-energy development and roadwork; the board approved a temporary construction easement from landowner Lawton Nuss to support replacement of OS Bridge 101, and set bid and review timelines for bridge work.
Ford County Engineer Jon Halbgewachs presented a progress report on multiple county infrastructure projects and notified commissioners of upcoming procurement steps and developer activity.
Halbgewachs said the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is working to develop an offer to the county for the U.S. Highway 50 expansion west of Dodge City to Cimarron. He reported that 113 Road resurfacing and a 4-lane extension to U.S. 50 is 100% complete, with a final walk-through held Dec. 29, 2025 and a handful of punch-list items remaining.
On bridges, Halbgewachs said historical documentation for OS Bridge 101 was accepted by the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) on Dec. 16, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicated their requirements were satisfied and that they will issue a permit. County staff plan to receive contractor bids on Feb. 27, 2026 and present those bids at the March 2 commission meeting. To allow the work, the board approved a temporary construction easement from landowner Lawton Nuss; the motion carried 3-0.
Halbgewachs also reported other updates: NextEra expects to begin construction of the Pioneer Creek Wind Farm south of Wright in spring 2026; Booth Hill Solar construction appears complete and the developer is commissioning the facility; Clark Solar’s RUMA (right-of-way/utility matter) was approved on Dec. 1, 2025 and a Battery Energy Storage RUMA appeared on the Dec. 30 agenda; Mako Wind’s start date remains uncertain (estimated 2027–2028). He noted SMH will proceed with offers to landowners for OS Bridge 31 reconstruction and that bids for FAS Bridge 220 deck repair are advertised with receipt scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026 for presentation at the Feb. 2 meeting.
The engineer also said he and staff met with Richland Township on Dec. 5 to review a 2021 plan for a Quaker Road low-water crossing; the township is weighing scope and payment options. The board tabled a separate proposal for a 2026 Hot Mix Asphalt overlay of Garnett Road to the next meeting.
No controversial funding or legal objections were recorded in the minutes. The board’s next regular meeting is Jan. 20, 2026.
