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KDOT approved August bids
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Published: Aug 31, 2021, 8:00 PM

The Kansas Department of Transportation announced this week the approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. The letting took place Aug. 18, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District Two — North Central

Cloud - 15 C 4966 01 - various unpaved major collector roads, signing, 121.0 miles, CC&I Engineering Inc./DBA Compass Consultants, Perham, Minn., $103,863.75.

Saline -  70 85 KA 6208 01 - I-70, beginning 6.67 miles east of the east city limits of Salina east to the Saline/Dickinson county line, pavement patching, 6.5 miles, Bryant & Bryant Construction Inc., Halstead, $639,658.50.

District Three — Northwest

Decatur - 36 20 KA 6269 01 - U.S. 36, from 0.82 mile east of the east city limits of Oberlin east to the Decatur/Norton county line, sealing, 18.2 miles, 14.2 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, $631,119.70.

Osborne - 18 71 KA 6205 01 - K-18, beginning at the Rooks/Osborne county line southeast to the Osborne/Russell county line, sealing, 7.8 miles, Heft and Sons LLC., Greensburg, $303,571.70.

Rooks - 18 82 KA 6276 01 - K-18, beginning approximately a half mile east of the east city limits of Plainville to the Osborne/Rooks county line, sealing, 14.2 miles, Heft and Sons LLC., Greensburg, $505,882.50.

Russell - 18 84 KA 6206 01 - K-18, beginning at the Osborne/Russell county line southeast to the U.S. 281/K 18 junction, sealing, 4.8 miles, Heft and Sons LLC., Greensburg, $176,605.80.

District Four — Southeast

Statewide - 106 KA 6095 01 - U.S. 69, U.S. 169, K 279, K 7 and K 68 in Miami, Linn, Franklin and Johnson counties, signing, Cooper Construction LLC., Emporia, $1,780,830.66.

District Five — South Central

Edwards - 50 24 KA 6251 01 - U.S. 50, beginning at the Ford/Edwards county line east to the west city limits of Kinsley, milling and overlay, 8.3 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, $2,382,591.40.

Statewide – 183-106 KA 6168 01 – U.S. 183, from the U.S. 54/U.S. 183 junction north approximately 8.8 miles to the Kiowa/Edwards county line and from the Kiowa/Edwards county line north approximately 16.08 miles to the south city limits of Kinsley, crack repair, 24.9 miles, Pavement Pro’s LLC., McPherson, $157,188.20.

District Six — Southwest

Lane - 96 51 KA 6203 01 - K 96, from the east city limits of Dighton east to the Ness/Lane county line, sealing, 11.7 miles, Heft and Sons LLC., Greensburg, $405,819.70.

Seward - 54 88 KA 2385 01 - U.S. 54, from 0.4 mile southwest of the U.S. 54/Tucker Road intersection northeast to 0.5 mile southwest of the U.S. 54/County Road O intersection, grading and surfacing, 3.1 miles, Koss Construction Co., Topeka, $23,319,064.32.

Statewide - 106 KA 6272 01 - U.S. 54, from the Clark/Meade county line northeast approximately 10.2 miles to the Clark/Ford county line and from the Clark/Ford county line northeast approximately 22.2 miles to the Ford/Kiowa county line, crack repair, 32.4 miles, Pavement Pro’s LLC., McPherson, $78,130.86

Statewide - 94 106 KA 6273 01 - K 94, from the entrance to the Clark State Lake east and north approximately 6.9 miles to the Clark/Ford county line and from the Clark/Ford county line to the K 94/U.S. 54 junction, crack repair, 10.8 miles, Pavement Pro’s LLC., McPherson, $50,167.70.

The following projects were approved from the July 21 letting.

Russell – 281-84 TE 0483 01 - South Stephanie Street, from Amy Avenue to East Witt Avenue then east to U.S. 281 (S. Fossil Street); and U.S. 281, (S. Fossil Street) from East Witt Avenue to East Wichita Avenue in Russell, pedestrian, and bicycle paths, 0.7 mile, Multicon Inc., Wichita, $350,524.86.

Montgomery - 160 63 KA 5424 01 - U.S. 160, from 200 feet east of the U.S. 160/U.S. 75 junction to (and including) the U.S.160/8th Street intersection in Independence, pavement reconstruction, 0.1 mile, Bryant & Bryant Construction Inc., Halstead, $1,231,060.00.

Sedgwick - 87 N 0691 01 - East 61st Street North, from the Wichita Valley Center Floodway Bridge east to 300 feet west of the Chisholm Creek Bridge in Park City, grading and surfacing, 0.5 mile, Conspec Inc./DBA Kansas Paving, Wichita, $3,596,938.64.

Republic - 79 C 4992 01 – Bridge over Dry Creek, located 4.0 miles south and 0.2 mile east of Republic, bridge replacement, 0.1 mile, Reece Construction Company Inc., Salina, $339,479.21.

Barton - 5 C 4965 01 – Intersection of North Washington Avenue (RS 42), North 30 Road and Northwest 50 Road approximately 0.15 mile east of Northwest 10 Avenue, intersection improvement, 0.5 mile, L & M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, $603,844.25.
Dirks fills new safety/security coordinator position at The Center
Jerry Dirks - The Center 2025
Jerry Dirks, originally from Albert, is the new safety/security coordinator at The Center for Counseling & Consultation. He brings 34 years of public service to the job.
Published: Apr 1, 2025, 10:00 PM

The first full-time safety/security coordinator at The Center for Counseling & Consultation, 5815 Broadway Ave., is relying on his 34 years of public service to “ensure the safety of our clients and staff.”

Jerry Dirks has served as a safety officer, special investigator, deputy sheriff, police officer, assistant chief and correctional officer at many entities throughout central Kansas. He also has experience with fire safety and Emergency Medical Services.

“This type of background is a good fit for this new position and I am glad to be of service to The Center,” Dirks said. “I have known for years about its solid reputation as a great community resource because of their many services for those who face behavioral-health issues.”

Responsibilities in the position include analyzing electronic cameras and updating when necessary; risk management; staff safety training; oversight of transportation safety; fire drills and inspections; and guidance for clients and staff during inclement weather.

Dirks noted that he eagerly accepts these responsibilities and also is “glad to again be working with a team face to face.”

His most recent position was special investigator for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which entailed working out of a home office most of the time.

“I think of myself as a people person and enjoy teaming up with my new colleagues,” Dirks commented. “My experience working with all types of personalities will help me in this new job.

“Also, I still have contacts with local law enforcement and fire officials. I look forward to collaborating with them about all types of safety issues.”

Dirks earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Barton Community College and a bachelor’s in business administration at National College in Kansas City, Mo.

He is certified in first aid and CPR.

Wendy Lockwood, executive director at The Center, noted the safety/security position is especially important now that The Center “is growing in the number of clients and number of services we offer. Since we are a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, we provide not only various therapies and medication, but have also expanded community-based services such as housing, employment and veterans’ support services.

“It is gratifying to have Jerry here to coordinate all our safety efforts as we strive to meet the community’s needs in collaboration with our many partners. Jerry’s extensive background at the local and state levels will be invaluable to us every day.”

The Center for Counseling & Consultation, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 5815 Broadway in Great Bend, serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.