Ness County Road & Bridge

Ness County Road & Bridge Under the direction of Ron Johnson Road and Bridge Supervisor

02/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 18, 2026
Contact: Yazmin Moreno | [email protected] | 620-765-7080

Southwest Kansas travel discouraged due to wildfires, smoke and high winds

The Kansas Department of Transportation is discouraging all non-essential travel across southwest Kansas this evening, Feb. 18, due to extremely high fire dangers and possible dense smoke, which could greatly reduce visibility.

According to the National Weather Service, winds are predicted to shift and increase the likelihood of dense smoke between about 6-11 p.m. tonight. Travel is strongly discouraged in southwest Kansas during this time, especially in the Ford County area.

Several fires in southwest Kansas that began yesterday or last night are still active today. Blowing smoke from these fires is impacting motorists at times.

Impacts on visibility for drivers could make it necessary to close highways at times. For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit kandrive.gov, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.
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PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
18 de febrero de 2026
Contacto: Yazmin Moreno | [email protected] | 620-765-7080

Se recomienda no viajar en el suroeste de Kansas debido a incendios forestales, humo y fuertes vientos

El Departamento de Transporte de Kansas recomienda no viajar en el suroeste de Kansas esta noche, 18 de febrero, debido al alto riesgo de incendio y la posible acumulación de humo denso, que podría reducir considerablemente la visibilidad.

Según el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, se pronostica que los vientos cambiarán y aumentarán la probabilidad de humo denso entre las 6 y las 11 p. m. de esta noche. No se conseja viajar en el suroeste de Kansas durante este período, especialmente en el área del Condado de Ford.

Varios incendios en el suroeste de Kansas que comenzaron ayer o anoche siguen activos hoy. El humo de estos incendios está afectando ocasionalmente a los conductores.

El impacto en la visibilidad para los conductores podría obligar al cierre de carreteras en ocasiones.

Para obtener las últimas actualizaciones sobre cierres y condiciones de carreteras, visite kandrive.gov o llame al 511 en Kansas o al 866-511-5368 fuera de Kansas.

02/18/2026

Ness County is looking for a seasonal person to mow road ditches. Starting May 26th, 2026. Must be 18 years of age and have a VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE. This would be great for someone looking to make extra money during the summer. Please stop by the County Engineer's Office to pick up an application or email [email protected] with a letter of interest. Any questions, please call 785-798-3350

12/03/2025

***** Dumping large quantities of salt water***** on a public road is generally prohibited and can have serious legal, environmental, and infrastructure consequences.
Legal Implications
Improper discharge of pollutants, including highly saline water, is often a violation of local, state, and federal environmental regulations, such as the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act.
Penalties: Violations can result in significant fines and, in some cases, imprisonment, particularly for knowing or negligent violations.
Liability: You may be held financially responsible for cleanup costs and any damage caused to public or private property.
Environmental & Infrastructure Damage
The main reason this practice is prohibited is the extensive damage caused by excessive chloride.
Water Contamination: The salt run-off pollutes local creeks, rivers, and groundwater, as chloride does not naturally break down in the environment and is expensive to remove. One teaspoon of salt can permanently pollute five gallons of water.
Harm to Wildlife and Plants: High salt concentrations are toxic to aquatic plants and animals by dehydrating roots and disrupting physiological processes.
Infrastructure Corrosion: Salt accelerates the corrosion of road surfaces, bridges, and metal pipes, shortening their lifespan and leading to costly repairs.
Road Safety: Applying too much salt or using it incorrectly can create dangerously slippery conditions, especially if temperatures are too low for the salt to work effectively.

08/28/2025

IF THERE IS WATER CROSSING A ROAD, DO NOT CROSS IT! YOU NEVER KNOW HOW DEEP THE WATER IS, OR IF A CULVERT OR BRIDGE IS WASHED OUT! NESS COUNTY CREWS ARE OUT WORKING TO CLOSE ROADS, FLAG ROADS, AND PUT UP BARRICADES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT A ROAD, PLEASE CALL BRYAN AT 785-798-0333

08/28/2025

*** IMPORTANT MESSAGE, PLEASE SHARE ***
The Ness County/Trego County Line Road from W Road East and W Road North from 290 Road is CLOSED due to the washout of the bridge by Terry Flax’s.
Please call Bryan at 785-798-0333 with any questions.

07/24/2025

As we get later into the summer, crops may obscure sight distance at intersections. Both of the following statutes relate to removal of vegetation near intersections with KSA 8-2011 being specifically applicable to removal of crops or other vegetation on private property.
Keep in mind that county right-of-way is a permanent easement for road purposes, i.e., the road right-of-way is not owned by the county. The owner of the property underlying the permanent road easement owns the trees on the right-of-way. However, K.S.A. 68-115 authorizes the county to remove obstructions in the right-of-way, and trees are a common obstruction in the right-of-way. So, it is well established that the county is authorized to remove trees wholly within the right-of-way if that removal is for “road purposes”, like safety for the traveling public. Removal of trees or other vegetation on the right-of-way line, or on private property, is a trickier issue.
If you feel a need to remove trees on the right-of-way line or the need to order vegetation removed from private property, I recommend discussing first with your county commissioners/county attorney and then with the underlying property owner.
K.S.A. 8-2011 – Removal of Traffic Hazards on Private Property (https://ksrevisor.org/sta.../chapters/ch08/008_020_0011.html)
This statute requires private property owners to remove any tree, plant, or other obstruction on private property that has been determined by the local authority to be a traffic hazard. The determination must be based on an engineering and traffic investigation. The property owner is required to remove the obstruction within 10 days of notification. “The failure of the owner to remove such traffic hazard within ten (10) days shall constitute an offense punishable by a penalty of ten dollars ($10) and every day said owner shall fail to remove it shall be a separate and distinct offense.” Note that this statute applies to crops as well as trees.
K.S.A. 19-2612 - Removal or cutting of hedge fences, trees and shrubs near intersections (https://ksrevisor.org/sta.../chapters/ch19/019_026_0012.html)
This statute specifically authorizes the county to remove trees and other vegetation, plus sign boards and board fences, on the right-of-way line within 350 feet of an intersection. “The board of county commissioners of each county in the state are authorized to cut all hedge fences, trees and shrubs growing upon the highway right of way or on right of way boundary, within three hundred fifty (350) feet of a railroad grade crossing or abrupt corner in the highway…”.

05/05/2025

Ness County is looking for a LOADER OPERATOR.
The primary responsibility of this role is to operate and maintain heavy equipment, such as a loader and other equipment. • *Qualifications - High school diploma or equivalent - Valid driver's license - Previous experience operating heavy equipment, specifically loader, or willing to learn, Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors to coordinate work activities- Knowledge of basic mechanical principles - Strong problem-solving skills Ness County offers excellent benefits -Medical and Dental Insurance, KPERS, paid vacation, and sick leave. Applications may be obtained at the Ness County Engineer’s Office, 12330 US Hwy 283, Ness City, KS, by calling the Ness County Engineer’s Office at (785)798-3350 or by emailing [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

04/01/2025

Ness County Courthouse, Noxious W**d, and other Offices will be closed at Noon on Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday.

Ness County Landfill will be open Friday, April 18, 2025, and CLOSED Saturday, April 19, 2025.

02/06/2025

OPEN POSITION:
Ness County is looking for a qualified MECHANIC for all county-owned vehicles and heavy equipment. Mechanic will provide maintenance and modifications to vehicles and other property owned by Ness County. This person will ensure proper upkeep is provided to trucks, automobiles, heavy equipment, and other vehicles/equipment. MUST have a valid driver's license. Ness County offers medical, dental, vision, and retirement. Please pick up an application at Engineers Office 12330 US Highway 283 or by emailing [email protected]. If you have any questions, please call 785-798-3350

08/21/2024

Keep SAFETY top of mind as kids head back to school. 🎒 Drivers — ALWAYS watch for pedestrians, especially in school zones 🚸 and at bus stops. 🚏

08/21/2024

Aphonopelma hentzi, the Texas brown tarantula, (also known as Oklahoma brown tarantula or Missouri tarantula), is one of the most common species of tarantula living in the southern United States today. Texas brown tarantulas can grow in excess of a four-inch leg span, and weigh more than 3 ounces as...

Address

12330 US Highway 283
Ness City, KS
67560

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 3:30pm
Thursday 7am - 3:30pm
Friday 7am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+17857983350

Website

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