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Enforcement is stepped-up on county roads

Staff reporter

Marion County sheriff's officers will step up enforcement of truck traffic on county roads.

This directive was given to sheriff Lee Becker Monday by Marion County Commission following the closing of U.S.-77 for construction.

A designated detour by Kansas Department of Transportation should be followed by through traffic, particularly commercial vehicles.

County engineer consultant Mike Olson of Kirkham Michael Consulting said he was concerned about county roads being over-used, particularly Nighthawk Road.

Negotiations had not been resolved between Olson, who represented the county, and KDOT.

Joe Palic of KDOT explained KDOT was not obligated to provide compensation to the county due to road construction.

When a dollar amount was submitted to KDOT, consideration was given to resurfacing Sunflower, additional law enforcement expense for monitoring county roads, and other road improvements due to unauthorized detour traffic.

"The county has invested a lot of money on these roads," Olson said.

Olson stated a Nov. 8 letter to KDOT asked for $520,000 in compensation for the county. The compensation included $435,000 to overlay Sunflower, $35,000 for patching of other county roads used during the construction, and $50,000 for additional law enforcement expenses.

The amount then was reduced to $420,000 when KDOT offered $100,000 worth of millings from U.S.-77 when removed.

KDOT counter-offered $200,000 plus the millings.

Other concerns were noted regarding the original agreement for the millings being the top four inches for the county.

The highway contractor decided the top four inches will be used by the construction company for the new highway. The county now will receive the bottom four inches or whatever is left after the contractor takes his share.

Olson said the county may get more tonnage but the quality will not be the same. However, the millings will be useable.

Olson also suggested the cost savings for using the millings should be passed on to the state.

Other cost savings on the project for the state is no temporary road. Traditionally KDOT constructs a temporary road for traffic to use while a highway is being rebuilt or constructed.

The U.S.-77 project does not call for this expense, saving the state a significant amount of money, Olson said.

Palic asked the commission for input regarding the offer.

Commissioner Randy Dallke said he wished the issue had been settled before the road was closed for construction.

Palic reminded Dallke the state was not obligated to provide funding to the county for road repair due to detours caused by highway projects.

Commissioner Dan Holub asked if the county decided on a dollar amount, could the county request additional funds from KDOT? Palic answered the county could.

Olson said he wanted an understanding of what the county could claim.

"I don't want to have to argue about every damaged road," Olson said.

Palic said he appreciated the county's cooperation in providing adequate access for residents along U.S.-77. He added the state has discussed the possibility of providing snow removal on Sunflower Road en route to U.S.-50.

The commission will make a decision Monday regarding the amount that will be requested from KDOT.

In other road business:

— A bid from Marion Lumber Company for $1,824 for 150 wood posts was approved.

A bid from Kropf Lumber of Hesston was $100 less than the Marion Lumber bid but Holub said he would rather spend county money within the county if possible.

The Lumberyard of Hillsboro submitted a bid of $1,946 for 156 posts.

— Additional federal funds may be available for county roads if a TEA-21 program is approved by legislators.

The 20 percent match by the county needs to be considered when budgeting for 2006, Olson said. However, if federal funds are used for roads, federal road requirements will be followed which will increase the cost for road improvements.

— A work session was discussed for determining the prioritizing of county road projects.

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