Commission members say the Shawnee Co. construction project. behind schedule

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Shawnee Co. construction project. is behind schedule and the contractor is now losing money on final payment.

During the commission’s public comment portion, Henry McClure (right), candidate for Shawnee Co. County. 2nd vs. incumbent Kevin Cook (D), walked up to the podium to speak to the county commissioner.

One point McClure mentioned during his time at the podium was a point that Cook agreed with: “You can’t take responsibility for all the good things without acknowledging the negative sides of things,” McClure said.

“I don’t often say Mr. McClure is right, but today I admit that Mr. McClure is right,” Cook said. “We often take responsibility for things going well, but sometimes we also have to admit when things are going wrong.”

This prompted Commissioner Cook to discuss the 46th Street roundabout project, which was supposed to be completed by Friday, October 25th, but construction has not yet been completed.

Sunflower Paving Inc. is the site’s construction company, and each day since Oct. 25, liquidated damages have been deducted from the final payment, Commission Public Information Officer Amanda Monhollon said.

“Sunflower Paving currently incurs daily fines of $1,300 per day, which will soon be increased to $2,000 per day,” Cook said. “So, we have eliminated the damage, which is now being assessed. There are also other collateral consequences that could be imposed on Sunflower Paving if the project is not completed.”

Cook wanted to assure the public that the county is working with contractors to ensure the project moves forward.

“We apologize for the inconvenience that this was not completed in a timely manner because it is an inconvenience,” Cook said. “When road construction projects are delayed…Anyone who has driven through the Westgate Bridge, well, anyone who has traveled through Shawnee Co. in general is feeling the difficulties of road construction at this time, and so we want you to know that we are aware of this and We’re on top of it.”

The project is currently expected to be completed next month.

Some projects Sunflower Paving is currently working on include the 6th Street project in Lawrence and NE River Rd. project in Shawnee Co.

Grant Family Park

Shawnee Co. Commissioners also approved a grant request for a portion of the trail in Family Park near SW 21st and Urish.

The grant agreement states that the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will provide $141,663.50 for the project and Shawnee Co. Parks and Rec. will allocate $35,415.88 from the Building Maintenance Fund, amounting to $177,079.38 for the project.

KDWP has a recreational trails program with an 80/20 matching grant, which means KDWP will provide 80% of the project and the project sponsor (Parks and Recreation) will provide 20%.

The trail will be 10 feet wide and will connect to the existing sidewalk on Urish Road SW. southwest of the SW 21st and Urish roundabout and ends at SW 21 Street on the north, forming a loop around the park.

Copyright: 2024. VIBV. All rights reserved.