Status Update – December 03, 2009
North 2nd and Locust
City and KDOT staff, in collaboration with RD Johnson, Inc. (the general contractor) is currently working on significant design revisions involving pavement structure, foundation treatment and underground drainage concerns. Design revisions include modifications to the concrete pavement design, selection of new foundation materials, and installation of under-drain systems.
The design revisions are warranted due to differing and unforeseen site conditions consisting of buried concrete structure built in the 1930’s, presence of ground water and poor soil condition, especially when in contact with ground water. Other factors contributing to delay include Emergency Traffic Signal system (Opticome), revisions to the water line and storm drainage design due to differing site condition, and other difficulties.
Work completed so far include a 16” water line to North Lawrence, a 20 feet deep storm drainage pipe that drains part of North Lawrence down to Kansas River, the retaining wall along the east side of North 2nd Street, portion of the concrete pavement along with curb and gutter, and sections of sidewalk.
Contractor has been working holidays and weekends to expedite the project completion. City and KDOT staff have been working in concert to finish up the design revisions.
Revised egineering plans will be delivered to the contractor on December 04, 2009. Following the completion of the revised plans, city and KDOT staff, in consultation with the contractor, will work out an updated schedule for the project.
It is anticipated that the Phase One (consisting of approximately 70% of the total project) will likely be completed by mid January of 2010, pending weather conditions. After completion of Phase One, there will be two lanes open (on North 2nd Street through the construction site), one for northbound and one for southbound traffic, and northbound traffic will no longer be detoured through North Lawrence.
In Phase Two, work will be done on the western 1/3rd of the project area for the entire length of the project. Completion of Phase Two (i.e. final completion of the project) is expected in late April / early May of 2010.