A section of Queens Road that goes through the state's Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area has been partially blocked off to leave a one-lane road. The Linn County Commission is considering a longer-term solution to erosion caused by the Marais des Cygne River on the east side of the road. (Journal file photo)
By Charlene Sims, info@linncountyjournal.com
MOUND CITY – The Linn County Commissioners revisited the repair of Queens Road on Monday, Oct. 21 when Public Works Director Shaun West explained to them that the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) could not help monetarily with the road because they do not own the road.
Queens Road is near Area G in the Wildlife Refuge. In August 2023, West reported to the commission that the road was being undermined by the river at a bend. He suggested either closing the road or repairing it. In September, it was decided that the KDWP and the county work together to repair the road.
At Monday’s meeting, discussion ensued about whether the county should abandon the road and it would go back to KDWP so that other highway funds might be used to repair the road.
West said that in the meantime the county engineer determined that Linn County crews had done everything that could be done to make it safe by putting up signage and making the road a one-lane road because of the erosion on the side of the road next to the Marais des Cygnes River.
West said he thought it was in the county’s best interest to give the road to KDWP so that they could use funds that might be available to them for repairing the road. He suggested that the commissioners discuss this between themselves and with legal representation to reach a decision.
Commissioner Jason Hightower expressed concern that Linn County citizens travel that road rather than taking a longer way around the area.
Commission Chair Danny McCullough said that he agreed and that he used the road but no farm equipment can travel the road because it is too narrow in places.
“What’s wrong with how it is working right now?” asked Hightower. “ I mean I know we have the sloughing issue and things that way, but it’s one lane for traffic, right?”
West said that his concern was that it was going to continue sloughing if there is no long-term fix. He said the believed that the funds and engineering that KDWP could access would be better qualified to create a long-term solution.
McCullough asked about the county’s liability.
Hightower pointed out that if the county is satisfied that the safety of the public had been addressed with the proper signage and reducing it to a one-lane road why not just keep an eye on it.
“What’s the problem in keeping it open for the people that are using it?” asked Hightower.
In a later phone interview, Hightower said that section of road could be used when a train was on the tracks.
McCullough expressed his concern that the road was going to continue to wash away and the county was just going to keep putting money into it. He said there were two ways to get to that area.
Hightower said that if the county does hand it over to KDWP there is no saying they will keep the road open for public use.
West replied that the KDWP wanted to keep it open for tourism. He suggested that the commissioners meet with the KDWP regional manager to get a confirmation on what they would do if the land went back to their ownership.
Commissioner Jim Johnson agreed that they needed to work with the proper person to guarantee that the road would be kept open to the public if it was given back to the wildlife department. West will arrange a meeting with the commissioners and a representative of the KDWP.
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