Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves KDOT detour agreement and seeks $740,000 for road repairs after bridge closure
Summary
Commission accepted a KDOT unofficial detour agreement related to a K-15 bridge replacement and staff requested $740,000 to repair 9 miles of paved and 3.25 miles of gravel county roads damaged by increased traffic on the detour.
Dickinson County commissioners approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation on Tuesday to document an unofficial detour around a K-15 bridge replacement and moved to seek reimbursement for repairs expected from increased truck and harvest traffic.
Public Works staff told the commission the detour has sharply increased traffic on county roads and that counters show traffic volumes as much higher than normal. The county requested $740,000 to cover repairs to roughly 9 miles of paved roadway and about 3.25 miles of gravel expected to be impacted by the detour; staff said the number is an estimate and the county engineer will review and refine costs.
"We made a request to KDOT to reimburse us or to pay us for the damage done to our roads," staff said. Commissioners discussed typical per-mile repair costs and noted the grant competition and limited state resources, but approved the agreement and authorized staff to pursue reimbursement.
Why it matters: An extended state project that reroutes heavy traffic onto county roads can accelerate pavement deterioration and raise unbudgeted repair needs. The county's decision to accept the agreement preserves its ability to seek reimbursement and to document expected impacts before major seasonal use.
Next steps: County engineering staff will refine the damage estimate and follow up with KDOT to pursue the $740,000 reimbursement; the commission approved the agreement by voice vote and asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates if available.
