By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ellis County received a $1.2 million state grant to replace the Hoosier bridge 6 miles south of Walker over Big Creek.
Brendan Mackay, Public Works director, gave a report on the grant to the Ellis County Commission at its meeting Tuesday.
The grant is part of the Off-System Bridge Program. The county's share of the project will be about $56,000.
The project will replace the timber-beam bridge, which is 62 years old.
Mackay said the bridge's approaches have repeatedly washed out during flooding, making the bridge impassible. The bridge also has weight restrictions.
The replacement bridge will eliminate the dips in the road at the approaches and make those approaches straighter.
Mackay said the bridge is not highly trafficked, but that is likely in part due to its weight restrictions.
"We think it will be a good thing for the area," he said. "It will allow the industry out there to go across it again."
The county applied for but was not approved for a Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program grant for a bridge 12.5 miles north of Ellis over the Saline River.
"We have a lot of structures that need work. Unfortunately with their current ratings, they're not ranked low enough to be eligible for some of these grants," Mackay said. "We apply for every grant we can with what's eligible."
Mackay said staff was preparing trucks for Wednesday's forecast storm. They also have been trimming trees from the right-of-way and preparing rock for roadways.
The commission also
• Approved an agreement with HaysMed for legal blood draw services, which are used in driving under the influence cases. The fee was increased from $100 to $200 per blood draw.
• Approved the purchase of a remanufactured engine and rebuild kit from Carrico Implement at a cost of $27,700. A new tractor would have cost the county about $150,000.
• Approved converting non-public bathrooms in the county administration building into IT offices. This still leaves public bathrooms available in the basement.