Shawnee County commissioners learned Thursday that four utility companies haven’t yet moved their utilities out of the way for bridge work on S.E. 29th Street over Dover Creek.
Tom Vlach, director of the public works and solid waste departments, said Cox Communications, Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and AT&T weren’t working with the county to move their utilities so the two-phase project can begin. Topeka Water is the only utility service that has had a contractor on board to move its water lines, he told commissioners.
Contract agreements would have had relocation of the utility lines begin in June. After that month passed, the county was told the relocations would begin Aug. 1, but as of Thursday’s commission meeting, none of the work had begun.
The bridge can’t be installed because the utilities would be in the way, and it will cost taxpayers money if they aren’t moved, Vlach said.
About 10 years ago, a draft resolution was proposed by the county counselor’s office to impose sanctions on utility companies if they don’t move their lines out of the way in time for bridge installation.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)