Commission approves engineering agreement for Auburn Road bridge under high‑risk rural roads program

Road and Bridge staff explained that Osage County was selected for the High Risk Rural Roads program for the Auburn Road corridor between 109th and 117th and that the agreement before the commission funds engineering to develop full plans for a FY2028 project. The county’s representative said the agreement begins the planning work and that the county reserves the right to terminate if needed.

“The project is still a 2028 fiscal year,” the road official told the commission while describing the amount of work required to reach the design stage. Commissioners asked about budget timing and whether the engineering fee would be charged before the FY2028 budget; staff said fees would likely come later this year as work ramps up. The chair moved to approve the agreement with Cook, Flack & Strobel Engineers for project 70‑5415‑01; the motion was seconded and carried.