Butler County approves Kirkham Michael work to pursue federal Bridge Investment Program funding

Butler County commissioners on March 24 approved two engineering contracts aimed at securing federal Bridge Investment Program (BIP) funds to repair or replace dozens of county bridges. Public Works Director Curtis Mader said the Board approved a supplemental agreement with Kirkham Michael for additional application work and a separate NEPA Stage One contract to prepare environmental submissions for 23 bridges.

Mader told the Board the NEPA Stage One contract was for a not‑to‑exceed $119,600 — "which equals $5,200 per bridge" — and that the work covers Phase One NEPA submissions (categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, or, if needed, environmental impact statements). He said if KDOT awards the BIP funds, KDOT will pay the Phase One work. The Board approved the NEPA contract 5-0. The meeting record also shows a supplemental engineering agreement approved not to exceed $10,400 to cover additional bridges in the application package.

Mader said the BIP has an 80:20 federal/local split and that KDOT, through Build Back Kansas, would contribute 15% of the local match if projects are selected. He noted most of the bridges included are likely to proceed to Phase Two and that if the County later chooses not to pursue Phase Two for any bridge, it may need to restart NEPA work in the future. The Board’s action authorizes staff to move forward with application preparation and the contracted NEPA work.

The items approved at the meeting included both the supplemental application work and the NEPA Stage One contract; both motions passed unanimously.