Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Wednesday morning:
• Approved construction costs for off-system county bridge that crosses Walnut Creek on East Barton County Road.
Bids were opened on June 14, for the Kansas Department of Transportation project, said County Engineer Barry McManaman. The low bid of $605,663 was submitted by L&M Contractors Inc of Great Bend.
KDOT will pay for 85% of the project construction cost with Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program funding. Barton County is responsible for the remaining 15%, he said. Per the KLBIP agreement, the county is to fully fund the contract up front, with KDOT reimbursing the county for 85% of the final construction cost.
• Approved round one Facade Improvement Grant extensions.
In 2021, the commission authorized a series of Façade Improvement Grants. There are approximately 11 projects that remain unfinished, County Administrator Matt Patzner said. “Generally, these projects have been hampered by supply line and contractor issues.”
The commission OKed extending the grant period to Dec. 31.
Following the agenda meeting, the following appointments were scheduled:
• Great Bend Economic Development update and budget meeting with Sara Arnberger, president.
• Budget meeting with Levi Morris, county attorney.
• Regular business discussion with Matt Patzner, county administrator.
A bridge on East Barton County Road crossing Walnut Creek that was built about a 100 years ago will be replaced after the County Commission Wednesday morning approved the project.
“It’s one that we’ve been in discussions with for quite a few years wanting to get it replaced because it’s a narrow bridge, 19 feet wide,” said County Engineer Barry McManaman. “Farm equipment has some trouble getting through, in fact, they can’t get through there.”
The engineering firm Kirkham Michael of Ellsworth did the design and put it out for bids and bids were opened on June 1, for the Kansas Department of Transportation effort, McManaman said The low bid of $605,663 was submitted by L&M Contractors Inc of Great Bend.
KDOT will pay for 85% of the project construction cost (around $514,000) with Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program funding. Barton County is responsible for the remaining 15%, he said. Per the KLBIP agreement, the county is to fully fund the contract up front, with KDOT reimbursing the county for 85% of the final construction cost.
He said, according to the bid documents, the contractor would start around Nov. 13. But, there is the possibility they could begin as early as August. The Road will be closed during construction.
There is another thing I didn’t mention a benefit with the bridge replacement, McManaman said. Eventually, KDOT will begin the expansion of U.S. 56 from Great Bend east to the K-156 intersection, making it four lanes wide.
“If we can get this bridge replace now, then the farmers are going to be able to get through there,” he said. The equipment might not fit through the constricted lanes during the highway construction, and this would land-lock farmers living in the area.
This follows the replacement of another bridge along the same stretch of road a few years ago, about a quarter mile west. “So they’ll be identical bridges pretty much.”
Ag producers in the vicinity are supportive, he said, and Bartlett Grain which operates a grain-handling facility nearby indicated the project would have little impact on them.
