The primary improvement anticipated for Allen County roads next year is an upgrade of about five miles of old U.S. 169 south from Humboldt to the Allen-Neosho counties line, Bill King told county commissioners Tuesday morning.
A new bridge over an ancient channel of the Neosho River near the south end of the proposed improvements opened to traffic last week. The bridge’s reconstruction started in the spring.
King, director of Public Works for the county, said between 3,000 and 4,000 vehicles a day used the old highway, mainly as a link between Humboldt and Chanute.
Improvements will include some milling and two inches of asphalt overlay, probably in the first two miles south of Humboldt where the pavement has become uneven and rough from heavy truck use associated with Monarch Cement Co. Chip and seal treatment also will be a part of the project.
Whatever is done, he said, won’t be a longterm cure-all, noting that as soon as upgrades are done and use resumes deterioration begins.
King said the next major bridge project, likely to be scheduled in 2013 or 2014, will be replacement of the old iron bridge over Indian Creek about two miles east of Neosho Falls. The project is expected to cost about $800,000, with 80 percent coming from the Kansas Department of Transportation. That would leave the county’s investment at about $150,000.
Otherwise, commissioners discussed health insurance for next year with representatives of two companies, including Rhonda Fernandez, who manages the county’s current self-insurance plan.
South road upgrade anticipated
