Road improvements discussed
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission discussed road improvements Monday with Gerald Kelsey, county road and bridge superintendent.
Commission chairman Leroy Wetta began the discussion by saying "We're spending too much money repairing chip and seal roads and not enough money on maintenance."
Currently, the county is on a five-year rotation for chip and seal projects.
"We need a three to four-year rotation," said Wetta.
Kelsey said it costs approximately $7,500 to $8,000 per mile for chip and seal road materials. Fifty miles of roadway improvements could cost $400,000, said Kelsey.
Wetta asked Kelsey if he had $400,000 available in road and bridge budget for the road improvements that were discussed. Probably not, responded Kelsey.
Wetta then asked the cost of blade patching to which Kelsey responded $150,000. Wetta said he would like to see the county get "caught up."
Kelsey said he was concerned the department may not be able to catch up.
"We can't sacrifice all of our black top roads for 68 miles of overlay," responded Wetta.
Milton Lowmaster, engineer with Cook, Flatt, and Strobel, who was in attendance at the meeting regarding the county bridges, said three inches of asphalt over a rock road is not sufficient.
"Cattle and grain trucks probably use that road," said Lowmaster. "You need six inches of asphalt for longer life."
Lowmaster said winter weather also can be hard on roads.
"Chip and seal only fills cracks," said Lowmaster. "You will need to do overlays over time."
Commissioner Howard Collett asked the cost of fog sealer previously used on county roads.
Lowmaster said around $700 per mile.
"Chip and seal will only waterproof," said Collett. "It won't add any strength. If we do fog seal annually, how long with it last?
"One to two years," responded Lowmaster.
Wetta asked Lowmaster's opinion regarding the condition of the county's chip and seal roads. Lowmaster responded he was not as familiar with them as the hard-surfaced roads.
Collett asked if bond money could be used for chip and seal roads. Wetta responded he had contacted the county's auditor and was told it was possible.
"Instead of overlaying chip and seal roads, I'd be in favor of doing fog seal this summer and next summer," said Collett.
Kelsey said with fog sealing, restriping of the lines are necessary, which is a significant expense.
"I just can't accept the chip and seal roads," said Wetta.
"I can appreciate what you're saying," said Kelsey. "We've been putting band-aids on roads for the past 40 years."
"I'm embarassed by what I see," said Wetta. Wetta added he was not sure how to budget for a three-year rotation but wanted Kelsey to check the county's options.
All agreed it will take more funds to achieve better roads.
"We either raise the mill levy or we don't do the full 68 miles," said Wetta.
The commission instructed Kelsey to research this issue and return with a plan for road improvements.
In other road and bridge business, Lowmaster reported the four deficient bridges on rural secondary roads have been addressed.
"One bridge is currently being repaired," said Lowmaster, "with another bridge slated yet for this year. The other two are included in the five-year plan," which is part of Kansas Department of Transportation's requirement.
A bridge near Durham is being replaced now, with the bridge by Marion Reservoir planned for this year. The other two bridges in the five-year plan are near Florence and Lehigh.
Commission also reviewed summaries of county bridge inspections.
There are 85 bridges on rural secondary routes in the county. In 2002, the bridges were inspected by KDOT. During that inspection, 62 were reported in good condition, 19 in fair, and four in poor.
Of the 215 bridges on off-system county roads, 118 were reported to be good, 30 were fair, and 67 were poor. This inspection also was conducted in 2002.
