Bonds, hearings, and bridge work occupy Pottawatomie County officials

Rain has slightly delayed progress on the Flush Road/Highway 24 intersection’s re-opening, but Pottawatomie county Public Works officials assured county commissioners Monday it will be open by next week, with a week buffer before when school begins at Rock Creek High School just up the road.

There was some discussion about dust control in that area, but rain has helped out with that problem in recent days. Public works director Peter Clark also told Commissioners during the Monday meeting finishing touches are being made on the busy intersection. And Asst. Public Works director Jim Jenkins assured  commissioners the intersection would be open next week. Jenkins announced the Excel  Road intersection with Highway 24 was open on Monday.

A bridge near Wheaton in the northeast part of Pottawatomie County is causing some problems, with Jenkins announcing to commissioners Monday the bridge needed to be closed. Jenkins says less than 10 vehicles a day use the bridge–sometimes none at all, depending on farm traffic. Public Works Director Peter Clark indicated there will be some impact, depending on the need to move cattle at certain times of the year.

What to do about the problem bridge known as SHR-21 was discussed with Commissioner Pat Weixelman asking if the county crews could temporarily shore at least one side of the bridge up. Public Works Director Peter Clark indicated that was a possibility.

Clark added the bridge, known only as SHR21, hadn’t been very high up on the priority list  The estimated cost of total replacement would be about $270,000.

Reduction of speed limits in Pottawatomie County on certain roads has met with a positive response, according to Public Works Director Clark, who told commissioners the only criticism is that the speed limit needs to be even lower than the 25 miles per hour he’s suggesting in the urban residential areas.

Commissioner Weixelman says he’s also hearing positive feedback on the speed limit reduction plans, adding the county needs to keep pushing forward on the changes.

Also Monday, Commission Chair Dee McKee and County Clerk Nancy McCarter indicated  the canvas of the Tuesday primary election went well, with no changes in results.  Two people from the County Clerk’s office substituted in for Commissioners Stan Hartwich and Pat Weixelman on the canvas since they were on the ballot.  McCarter was pleased with the 40 percent turn-out, with her staff putting in a 16 hour day.

Commissioners also heard from Register of Deeds Betty Abitz and County Sanitarian Scott Schwinn, who announced the free trash day on October first, which commissioners approved.