Commissioners approve bridge replacement award and design contract for 235th Street

The Leavenworth County Board of County Commissioners voted to accept the low bid for replacement of Bridge A07 and authorized a design contract for a separate road project.

Road and bridge staff recommended awarding the Bridge A07 replacement to the low bidder and described the project as a prefabricated‑deck structure to limit closure time. "This process is both faster and cheaper," the facilities representative said, explaining the deck will be fabricated offsite and set in place with a crane to reduce on‑road work and closures. The staff presentation names Woodford Contracting as the low bidder; in the subsequent motion the mover referenced Norfolk/Norfolk Contracting. The board approved the acceptance and authorized a notice to proceed; county records should be checked to confirm the contracting party because the transcript contains inconsistent contractor names.

County staff also presented two engineering proposals for design work on 235th Street from 4H Road to K‑92. A selection committee recommended SMH Engineering as the qualified proposer; commissioners voted to accept a design contract with SMH for $475,555 to complete design plans for the final mile‑and‑a‑half so the county can bid construction pending available congressional and state cost‑share funding.

Staff said earlier congressional appropriations and Kansas cost‑share funds have already provided portions of earlier phases; the new design contract covers the remaining segment to make a continuous paved route from Easton to Lawrence. Both motions passed by roll call vote.