McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — As part of improvements being looked at for US 56 between McPherson and Marion, Kansas Department of Transportation officials told members of a corridor study group last week they are looking at a plan that would have a major traffic impact in the McPherson area.
Public Works Director David Bohnenblust told McPherson County Commissioners Monday KDOT is looking at extending the four lane segment of US 56 from 17th Avenue east to past the curve at Limestone Road, a plan that would close the east end of Limestone Road, which is frequently used by traffic coming from the east to access businesses on the north side of McPherson.
Bohnenblust expressed concern about increased traffic on both 17th Road and Centennial Drive in McPherson. KDOT is planning open houses Dec. 9 in McPherson and Dec. 10 in Marion. More on those sessions will be coming.
Bohnenblust also reviewed a directive from the Kansas Department of Transportation that will require the county to post or re-post signage at 45 bridges around the county, and that it be done in 30 days which Bohnenblust said would be impossible to do given the need to obtain materials and especially to get the one-call clearances at each location.
This mandate impacts McPherson County especially as it has the third largest number of on-system bridges in Kansas, along with the 5th largest number of asphalt miles in the state.
During the meeting, approval was made on the proof of loss statements connected with the hailstorm on Sept. 3 that caused extensive damage around the area. The largest part of the claim, totaling over $206,000, involved vehicle damage, much of which involved the Public Works Department and Sheriff’s Office. Seven vehicles were considered total losses as it would cost more to repair them than they are worth.
The remainder of the claim involved building damage at the Extension Office, with other claims involving buildings at Public Works, the Health Department office, and the Noxious Weed Department. This does not include roof damage at the Courthouse, estimates on that repair are not yet finalized
Commissioners approved a “Novation Agreement” connected with a grant awarded by the Kansas Department of Transportation last year for runway repairs at McPherson Airport. The original grant was awarded through the city of McPherson, and this change substitutes the McPherson Airport Authority, a joint city-county body that operates the airport, as the grant recipient.
The grant provides 90 percent of participating costs for the work up to a maximum of $351,000, with the airport covering the other ten percent.
Commissioners authorized release of a request for proposals for on-call professional surveying services. The county has been unable to hire a full time in-house surveyor after the retirement of the prior surveyor. RFP responses are due back Dec. 9, with a contract expected to be awarded in January.
Commissioners Monday approved a number of personnel changes, including hiring of two new 911 dispatchers, one of whom will start next week and the other Dec. 8. An end of introductory raise and step increase was approved for one maintenance worker in Public Works and promotion of another to Maintenance Worker 3. Commissioners also approved a three-week extension of a Family and Medical Leave Act time frame allowing a Community Corrections employee to work from home 20 hours a week. Commissioners also approved closing county offices on Friday, Dec. 26. Office will be open until noon on Christmas Eve as per past practice.
