County roads discussed
Staff reporter
County road conditions continued to dominate the Monday Marion County Commission meeting.
Complaints from county resident Ed Vinduska that were publicized in the Hillsboro Free Press caused commissioner Dan Holub to address acting county road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet with the issues.
Summer floods followed with a wet winter has caused county roads, nearly 900 miles, to deteriorate.
A report of a resident on 50th Road being unable to get to his home without a four-wheel drive vehicle concerned commissioner Randy Dallke.
Herzet said the road was rocked either Friday or Monday.
Herzet said $371,000 had been budgeted for rock to be laid on county roads with more than $400,000 actually being spent.
Nearly $800,000 in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds still are available in the county coffers. The funds were a result of a summer flood that resulted in washed out roadways, damage to bridges, and additional manpower and equipment being expended for cleanup and repair.
Herzet said he had not received many complaints regarding the roads and responded to those he did receive.
Holub suggested a system within the townships to report road concerns. He also wants people with concerns to come to the commission meeting and address the issues.
Herzet said U.S.-77 will close March 14 for construction.
Dallke said he had requested a list of projects Kansas Department of Transportation had planned in Marion County for this year. He suggested the commission talk with the sheriff regarding enforcement on the county roads that will be utilized as a result of the construction projects.
