KDOT releases findings in Woodlawn investigation
BEL AIRE, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Transportation has released a report regarding the Woodlawn expansion project in Bel Aire.
KSN reported back in November that the project was paused due to the road sinking, deforming, and cracking. KDOT was called to look at the conditions of the road by drilling and taking samples.
The KDOT analysis found that the pavement’s failures were predominantly related to an over-saturated subgrade, and in areas where the pavement was most distressed, the subgrade moisture content was 10% greater than optimum, which led to a decrease in strength.
The report also provided four recommendations on how to fix the problem. The most expensive would cost $8 million, and the least expensive option would cost $500,000.
Read the report in full:
Final-Memo-Pavement-Failure-Investigation-87-N-0678-01-2-6-24Download
Woodlawn Expansion Project history
“Woodlawn Blvd serves as a major entrance to the City of Bel Aire. Originally constructed as a two-lane paved road with open ditches and no sidewalks, the growing demands of our community necessitated significant improvements, including the addition of a signalized intersection,” said Bel Aire.
Sinking road causes delays in Bel Aire road project, KDOT takes lead
2015
The City applied for grant funding through WAMPO to reconstruct North Woodlawn Boulevard from East 37th Street North to East 45th Street North as a three-lane road with curb and guttering, sidewalks, and a signalized intersection at 45th.
It was approved as a priority project in 2017 by the WAMPO Policy Board, with funding available in 2021, according to Bel Aire.
2018
MKEC Engineering was hired to complete the design. Pearson Construction was hired to start construction on the project by the end of 2018. Garver was hired to perform inspections.
KDOT acted as the City’s agent and has been involved throughout, as the project is receiving federal funds through WAMPO.
Bel Aire Mayor shares frustration on road construction
2023
The project was expected to be completed by October 2023, but signs of pavement failures began to manifest north of the railroad tracks in the summer of 2023. Due to this, work stopped.
With Bel Aire not knowing what caused the pavement failures, they contacted KDOT Secretary Reed to ask for his assistance.
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