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Engineer outlines road, bridge and energy-project updates; commission holds executive session on land acquisition
Summary
County Engineer Jon Halbgewachs briefed the commission on multiple projects including a $55,000 chip-seal estimate to KDOT for US-50 access roads, an APAC HMA bid of $3,763,744.75, a $441,009.38 bridge repair bid, and pending review of a RUMA for the Grain Belt Express; the commission recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisition for OS Bridge 31 and returned with no action.
Ford County Engineer Jon Halbgewachs presented a broad monthly update to the commission on April 7 that covered road and bridge projects, energy development impacts and coordination with state agencies.
Halbgewachs said the county estimated $55,000 to chip-seal US Highway 50 access roads and the connection to 107 Road and that he had emailed that estimate to the KDOT District 6 engineer on March 20. He reported APAC had submitted a $3,763,744.75 bid for Hot-Mix Asphalt projects and indicated intent to start the first week of April, with traffic controls (flaggers and pilot cars) during construction. For 113 Road (3.6 miles) the county received a geotechnical proposal to drill soil samples and develop a pavement design; the proposal was sent to the County Counselor for review.
Halbgewachs also discussed the Pioneer Creek Wind Farm with NextEra, noting Kirkham Michael completed load ratings and coring and is preparing pre-construction haul-route documentation. On Boot Hill Solar, he reported asphalt had been placed at the Lariat Way entrance but backfill material did not match plan specifications; the developer was instructed to replace the material and Kirkham Michael submitted a road damage summary awaiting the developer's response. The Grain Belt Express developer presented a Road Use Maintenance Agreement (RUMA) that is under review by legal counsel; no construction schedule was provided.
On bridges, Halbgewachs reported a $441,009.38 bid from PCIRoads for FAS Bridge 220 deck repair with construction planned to begin in June and one lane open to two-way traffic during the work. He said the township plans ditch improvements at the Quaker Road low-water crossing in Summer 2026 and that KDOT's Southwest Kansas Highway Mobility and Expansion Strategy will reconvene in Fall 2026. SMH conveyed a landowner counteroffer on OS Bridge 31's re-alignment, prompting Halbgewachs to request an executive session to discuss preliminary acquisition of real property under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(6).
Chairman Gary Thomas moved the board into a 20-minute executive session with the County Administrator, assistant administrators, counselors, County Engineer and Road and Bridge Superintendent included; Commissioner Chris Boys seconded and the motion carried 3-0. The minutes record the open meeting was to resume at 4:39 p.m. and later state the commission returned at 4:49 p.m. with no action taken.
The minutes do not provide construction schedules for all projects, contract amounts beyond the listed bids, or timing for responses from developers. The engineer's report included several items that will require follow-up with contractors, developers and state agencies.
