McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County Commissioners, and County Administrator Rick Witte, voiced frustrations Monday with the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding a proposed improvement project on US 56 between McPherson and Marion.
KDOT has been holding online meetings with a number of local groups on what has become a controversial project. McPherson County was not invited to any of them, however county officials have borne the brunt of complaints. “Why would the Commissioners have to answer questions on this (US 56 project) and catch all of this negativity, when they’re not even invited to a meeting,” Witte told Commissioners.
Public Works Director David Bohnenblust said some new options have come up in the past week or so, including an alternative to closing the east end of Limestone Road, a heavily used route to and from the north side of McPherson.
From those discussions, a few things have surfaced, most notably an alternative to closing Limestone Road at US 56. This plan would extend Limestone past 18th Avenue, and end at a perpendicular intersection with 56.
KDOT has advanced two new proposals for Galva, with the intent to maintain high speed through there instead of the existing 45 mile an hour speed limit. One plan would severely reduce the number of entryways onto the highway on the south edge of Galva, and the other would be to put in a bypass loop to the south of the existing alignment.
On the south edge of Canton, KDOT is proposing a widening of the corridor that would take out two businesses and one home in that vicinity.
A bridge replacement project on Comanche Road near Groveland could begin a lot sooner than expected – as in next week. Civil Engineer Elizabeth Hopp said the contractor on the project has informed Public Works of the advanced start date which means traffic controls in that area will be going up later this week.
The move-up of the start date also impacts securing of inspection services on the project. Hopp said requests for proposals on the inspection piece were due today, and at this time there appears to be at least one firm interested, and she asked to be able to award a contract immediately and bring it to the Commission for formal approval next week.
Commissioners Monday approved the purchase of six concrete culvert pipes that will be installed ahead of overlay projects on county roads this year. The cost of the pipes, being purchased through McPherson Concrete Products, comes to just over $79,000. The culvert replacement work will be done in-house.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of a used telehandler for Public Works from United Rentals of Hays. This unit would allow them more flexibility than other equipment and can handle heavier loads. It was also indicated they should know later this week about the status of a grader hydraulic motor that has been sent in to determine what will be needed after it was damaged during recent tree removal.
Commissioners were given an update on the search for a full-time county surveyor. This topic was also discussed at the annual township meeting last week, where a suggestion was brought up under which townships would assist in the costs of that person, with an estimated yearly salary of $140,000 to be required to obtain one. Contributions would be based on valuation, with Castle, King City and McPherson townships having the largest shares.
Along with road and bridge discussions, Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsey also gave a presentation during this meeting
The McPherson County Jail remains very close to its absolute maximum capacity. Sheriff Jerry Montagne told Commissioners they were housing 58 people in the jail, including six females and six being held for municipal courts. With the local jail basically at capacity, some inmates are being housed in Dickinson and Rice Counties at this time. He also reported there are three juveniles being held in detention facilities.
In his Monthly report to the Commission, Kinsey said seven building permits were issued for the month, with a construction value of just under $1.17 million, with 37 total cases dealt with during the month.
