Ottawa County Road and Bridge/Highway Department
P.O. Box #224
Minneapolis, KS  67467-0224

The Ottawa County Road & Bridge/Highway Dept. is responsible for the roads, ditches and bridges that are designated as County.  Some roads are designated as Township and these roads are under the jurisdiction of the individual townships within Ottawa County.  The Highway Dept does the blading, grading, ditch cleaning and bridge repair and/or replacement within Ottawa County.  There are approximately 1056 miles of legally open roads in Ottawa County.  169 miles are designated as County Roads.  These are roads that are fully maintained by the Highway Department.  Surface material is purchased and placed by the Highway Department.  The balance of the roads in the county are classified as township roads and surfacing material is under jurisdiction of the individual township boards.  There are 20 townships in Ottawa County and each township has a 3 member board, consisting of a Trustee, a Treasurer and a Clerk.  These board members are elected by the voters residing within the township and must also be residents of the township for which they serve as board members.  Each board member is elected for a 4 year term.  Each township has its own Road Fund Budget and the budget amount will vary from township to township.

There are 12 rural motor grader operators that take care of the gravel and dirt roads within Ottawa County.  Each operator is responsible for the blading of approximately 85 to 90 miles of earth surfaced roads.  Blading of County gravel roads is done first after a rain or snow, then Township gravel that have people living on them are done.  Dirt roads and pasture miles are bladed last.  In the winter months that we have substantial snow, dirt roads and/or pasture miles are done only in an emergency for the tending of livestock.  Private drivers will be bladed or opened during severe snowstorms at our discretion or in emergency situations.

New construction or developments:  All entrances shall be approved by the Highway Administrator.  If you are going to build a new house or develop an area, you should contact the County Road and Bridge/Highway Dept. for instructions on what procedure needs to be followed.  The County Highway Dept. does have culverts that can be purchased at cost plus a handling fee.  The county will deliver these culverts at no charge if delivery is performed at the County's convenience.

Agriculture fields are entitled to one 30 ft. entrance per land owner.  The county will furnish a new culvert or an extension for an existing entrance that is not 30 ft wide.  Other agriculture entrances are the same policy as new construction.

The County does not remove or replace fence except when it involves County bridge projects.  Any work off County right-of-ways will only be performed to prevent problems to County roads or bridges.

Any person requesting additional signs or special signs other than those normally put up by County must pay for the sign and the post.  The County will install the sign at no additional cost.

The following page has the policies for the Road & Bridge Department as set forth by the Board of County Commissioners.