Department Functions
Maintenance of Roads and Right-of-Way.
Blading and application of gravel to county maintained rock roads.
Brush Removal: Wabaunsee County works to remove all brush along county-maintained road right-of-way.
- Improves sight distance
- Reduces damage to vehicles
- Increases sunlight to melt frozen roads
- Reduces collisions with wildlife
Maintenance of paved roads; patching and sealing: A four-five year preventative maintenance schedule is followed. All paved roads in the county were evaluated and priorities were established for annual sealing and patching. Some roads are scheduled for reconstruction and others for a hot mix overlay. Proper maintenance provides a safe and economical road system. Of the 64 miles of paved roads approximately 16 miles are scheduled each year for a seal coat. Good maintenance of paved roads is more economical than reconstruction of roads when maintenance is not performed. Rain, snow, heat and traffic loads constantly age asphalt pavement and early damage can go undetected.
Maintenance of pavement markings.
Mailboxes: While roadside mailboxes are a necessity in rural areas, they are a potential hazard to a vehicle. Massive mailbox stands of brick or a stone column can stop a vehicle and pose a hazard similar to hitting a concrete wall. For this reason, rigid ornamental mailboxes are not allowed on county roads. Rigid mailboxes located on county right-of-way determined to be a hazard will be removed by county maintenance. Ornamental mailbox mountings such as wagon wheels, limestone fence posts, cream cans, and plows are also considered roadside hazards. We recommend the following: Standard mailboxes approved by the post office. They can be decorated or painted. We suggest light colors as they show up better at night. Posts should be no larger than a 4x4 wood post or 2” outside diameter steel pipe and set as far off the road as possible with the box cantilevered towards the road.
Mowing right-of-way: Year-round as weather permits.
Sign Maintenance; including 911 signs.
Install Driveway entrance culverts: New approved entrance culverts will be purchased by the landowner and installed by the County. They will be rocked and maintained to the right-of-way. Entrances then become property of Wabaunsee County.
Maintenance and construction of bridges: Culverts greater than 25 square foot opening on township roads are maintained by the County, along with all bridges and culverts on county-maintained roads.
Snow Removal Policy: Paved roads will be plowed and treated first followed by rock roads.
Dust Control: Magnesium Chloride can be applied on road frontage a minimum of 300 ft. to help control dust. This done at a cost to the landowner. Applications Due June 21st