New rails could mean faster trains in county
Safety concerns were expressed Monday by Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub regarding trains traveling at higher speeds through Marion County.
Holub was informed that railroad ties on tracks located in the county will be replaced with welded rails within the next two years which will allow trains to increase speeds.
It was determined the railroad company was responsible for clearing areas at railroad crossings to provide better visibility for motorists.
Another concern besides higher speeds was the amount of hazardous materials traveling through the county on a regular basis.
Change in contract could cost county
Acting county road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet presented a letter draft to the commission from the county's engineering consultant Mike Olson of Kirkham Michael Consulting to Kansas Department of Transportation regarding a settlement for anticipated repairs to county roads due to U.S.-77 construction.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he had been told by constituents the county made a "sacrifice" when it agreed to be given the bottom four inches of millings from U.S.-77 instead of the top four inches.
Herzet said there wasn't any difference.
He also informed the commission an original contract for the millings was to have them hauled to a strip off U.S.-56, east of Timber Road. The millings now must be moved to the county's south shop. The subcontractor for the highway project agreed to haul the materials for 70 cents per ton at an approximate total cost of $14,000.
The commission instructed Herzet to negotiate with the company for a lower price.
Road repair work session
Herzet distributed county maps to the commission that designated different road surfaces.
The commission discussed the following for possible repair this summer:
— 140th Road (formerly Aulne Road) four miles.
— 250th - 240th roads (formerly Elk Road), 8.5 miles.
— 120th (formerly Goessel Road), eight miles.
— 150th (formerly Menno Road), seven miles.
— 90th (formerly Moundridge Road), three miles.
— West 30th Road
— Timber Road (formerly Electric City Road).
— 330th Road (formerly Roxbury Road).
Other discussion included the county's continued responsibility for Industrial Road in Hillsboro, the necessity of three blacktop roads to and from Tampa, and the possibility of making 190th from Marion to Hillsboro a chip and seal road instead of blacktop.
Herzet also reported that in the past, grader operators from various townships designated two miles of graveled roads that need to be reworked and rocked for a total of 28 miles. An approximate cost would be $100,000 for rock to be laid two times, Herzet said.
Holub suggested the base be rebuilt when needed instead of rocking roads numerous times. He also suggested road use factored with condition when Herzet determines which roads receive rock.
Dallke suggested $100,000 of FEMA reimbursement funds from last summer's flood be used for road rock.
Herzet was instructed to submit a list of 28 miles of roads at Monday's commission meeting.
In other department business:
— Cardie Oil Company of Tampa was awarded the low bid of $14,822 for transport fuel bids. The average cost per gallon for 5,500 gallons of diesel was $1.76 and $1.88 for 2,500 gallons of unleaded fuel.
Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro also submitted a bid of $15,263 for the same amount.
It was noted the last time transport fuel was purchased was in February for $1,369 less.
— The county reviewed information regarding the county's share of a new bridge construction on Pawnee Road near Marion Reservoir. The county's estimated share will be $93,450. The total project estimate is $424,575.
— Herzet requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
