Firms hired for road projects

Commissioners took several steps to improve the county’s roads and bridges during Tuesday’s meeting.

Commissioners hired Asphalt Paving and Maintenance LLC for $198,900 to crush 39,000 tons of concrete formerly used as road surfacing.

“It’s a tremendous amount of concrete that will be used all over the county for several years,” engineer Brice Goebel said.

Commissioners also hired BG Consultants for engineering services to replace a bridge on Eagle Rd. that crosses French Creek. The county will pay the engineering company $46,500.

Rebuilding 20 miles of Nighthawk Rd. will get started after possible change orders to a $2,653,500 contract with Coughlin Co., St. George, Utah.

Because the project will be paid in part by Kansas Department of Transportation, Goebel recommended commissioners “get the ball rolling” by approving the bid, then making a change order if the county decides to pave the road with asphalt instead of two coats of chip seal.

The resignation of road and bridge superintendent Jesse Hamm will mean not only a candidate search, but a new job description for the position.

Hamm held the job before the county hired Goebel as county engineer. The job description was not changed when Goebel came on board.

Commissioners voted to appoint Steve Hudson as interim road and bridge superintendent, revise the job description, and then advertise the position.