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Dickinson Co. willing to share bridge responsibility

Staff reporter

Dickinson County Commissioners and county administrator paid a visit to Marion County Commission Monday morning to discuss a possible collaboration for a bridge that is located on the Dickinson/Marion county line on 370th Road between Remington and Sunflower roads.

Acting county public works director John Summerville told the commission that Dickinson County maintains the road but Marion County has been paying for the inspections on the bridge. And now the bridge needs to be replaced.

Marion County Commissioner Randy Dallke said he wasn't sure how to go about this issue. Dickinson County Commissioner Joe Nold said the two commissions needed to work together and that was a start.

"What are your plans? Is it a KDOT (Kansas Department of Transportation) cost-sharing bridge?" Nold asked.

Dallke explained that this situation was brought to the commission's attention when Summerville reviewed bridge inspections and found that the bridge was in both counties.

Nold commented that a similar situation arose on the Dickinson/Saline county line and the two county commissions were able to work out an arrangement.

Cost-sharing for the bridge replacement was determined by the state, dividing the cost of the bridge between the counties based on property values.

All agreed that the road didn't appear to be heavily-traveled, even though a KDOT traffic count indicated 40 vehicles per day. Nold suggested an engineer look at the bridge and determine a load limit. He said a traffic counter could be placed on the crossing for a more accurate traffic count.

Nold continued that Dickinson County had its own bridge crew that could rebuild it.

Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub asked if there was an alternate route, is the bridge really needed? He noted there was one residence along the road and the Ramona road could be used to reach U.S.-77.

Dickinson County Commission members viewed the bridge Monday morning on their way to the Marion County Commission meeting. Nold commented that the bridge wasn't wide enough to accommodate farm equipment so agriculture producers weren't using it.

When Dickinson County Administrator Brad Homman looked at the Marion County bridge inspection schedule, he noted that the engineers had a load limit for that bridge of three tons.

"We've got to get it marked," Nold said.

Dallke asked if the next step was a feasibility study to determine the need for the bridge?

Homman said that Dickinson County had sent notices within a five-mile radius regarding a public meeting to address concerns and comments from constituents.

Dickinson County Commissioner Sheila Biggs suggested a public meeting be held in Ramona since it was centrally located near the bridge in question.

Homman commented that there have been times when residents have come to the public meetings and told the commission that a bridge is not needed.

Biggs suggested an engineer provide a cost estimate for a new bridge prior to the public meeting. Marion County Commission agreed to share the cost of the engineer's fee to determine an estimate.

A public meeting was set for noon June 2 at Ramona Senior Center. Marion County Commission then will attend the June 5 Dickinson County Commission to discuss the outcome and future collaboration.

In other business:

— Acting county public works director John Summerville asked the commission to establish a policy regarding crews providing services and materials to residents.

Summerville said he had been approached by various residents who requested rock on minimum maintenance roads as promised by former road superintendents.

It was determined that the county would be willing to haul rock for a county road if a resident is willing to pay for the rock and a fuel surcharge.

— Area fuel bids were divided among the two bidders.

Cardie Oil Company of Tampa presented a bid of $3.306 for 800 gallons of diesel fuel and $3.306 for 2,150 gallons of diesel fuel to two locations.

Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro presented bids of $3.299 for 1,800 gallons and $3.309 for 1,800 gallons at two locations.

— Cardie Oil Inc. of Marion had the low bid for miscellaneous tires. That bid was $32,756. A bid from Rod's Tires of Hillsboro was $33,822.

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