A Beaver resident called County Engineer Barry McManaman with concerns about an uncontrolled intersection two miles south and one mile east of the small, northeastern Barton County community.

He requested that McManaman investigate the junction of NE 70 Avenue and NE 170 Road, on the Beaver/Cheyenne township line, to determine appropriate signage. McManaman told the County Commission Monday morning that there was indeed a problem at the site.

A hill lies just east of the intersection that restricts sight and there are trees near the southeast approach that also block the view, he said. Because of this, the intersection is eligible for the installation of stop signs in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Under the resolution, McManaman called for stop signs be placed at both the southwest and northeast corners of the intersection. The signage would cause traffic arriving from the east and west approaches to stop for north- and south-bound traffic. 

In addition, a “stop ahead” sign will be installed on the east side because of the hill.

“I am very aware of that location,” Commissioner Kenny Schremmer said. “It certainly needs it.”

McManaman said there have been no objections from either township.

In other county road business, the commission approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding High-risk Rural Roads signage.

McManaman said KDOT asked the county to approve an agreement for the HRRR signage project on county blacktops. Under the agreement, Barton County will purchase and install the signage and keep records of labor, equipment and materials used and KDOT will cover 100 percent of the costs up to the project limit of $121,716.84.  

The county may commence work after execution of the agreement and no later than Oct. 31, with the project being completed within 60 working days. It is estimated the materials for the project will cost $37,059.59.