Shawnee County Commissioners approve road project with city, county funding

Shawnee County commissioners voted Monday to approve a project that will make repairs to a road that receives heavy traffic from both cars and large trucks in the southern part of the county.

Commissioners Bob Archer, Kevin Cook and Bill Riphahn voted 3-0 to award a bid to Bettis Asphalt and Construction for reconstruction of S.W. Gary Ormsby Drive from the northwest on-ramp of US-75 highway to S.W. Innovation Parkway.

The project cost of $611,099.45 is to be shared 50-50 between Shawnee County and the city of Topeka. However, the motion stated Shawnee County would pay $500,813 and the city would pay the remainder.

Commissioner Cook emphasized the motion needed to reflect the county would pay no more than half of the project, or a maximum of $500,813, whichever is less.

“I just don’t want the city of Topeka to believe that we are committing to more than 50 percent,” Cook said, “because I believe they would.”

Archer replied with a chuckle, “We wouldn’t let them get away with that, Kevin.”