BUHLER, Kan. — The Reno County Public Works Department, on behalf of Reno County, has been chosen to receive $820,000 in grant funding for the replacement of the bridge on Victory Road one-half mile east and two miles south of Buhler. The announcement came on Dec. 29.
The grant is part of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 Off System Bridge Program.
Don Brittain, Reno County Public Works Director, said this was the third time he had applied for the grant to replace the 140-foot-long bridge that spans the Little Arkansas River.
The bridge was built in 1962.
According to Brittain, two major floods have caused the bridge deck to loosen from the piling supporting the bridge.
Due to the large size of the bridge, Reno County’s bridge crew is not able to build a new bridge.
“I’m very pleased to be able to replace another bridge with a minimal cost to the taxpayers and be able to mark another bridge off the needed replacement list,” Brittain said.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) received 99 applications requesting assistance for projects totaling $93.2 million in construction costs. KDOT was able to award $20.5 million to 22 projects in the program supporting $22.3 million worth of total construction cost.
"On behalf of the rural Buhler residents in my district, I applaud the efforts of Reno County Public Works to leverage grant dollars to rebuild rural bridges to maintain fast access to emergency services and support our rural economy,” Reno County Commission Chairman Daniel Friesen said. “We are too, thankful for KDOT's vision in helping our county secure critical infrastructure for generations to come.”
The maximum amount of funding for the project is $820,000.
Eligible work includes construction and inspection performed under contract.
Reno County will be responsible for any costs over the maximum award, as well as costs for design, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and any non-participating costs.
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