Status Update – January 28, 2010

North 2^nd and Locust

Due to some major Engineering Design revisions, and unfavorable and inclement weather conditions, this project has been experiencing significant delays.

Engineering Design revisions were warranted due to differing and unforeseen site conditions consisting of buried concrete structure built in the 1930’s, presence of ground water and extremely poor soil condition. City staff worked with KDOT engineers and revised many aspects of the project design involving pavement structure, foundation materials and treatment, and under-drain systems. Revisions to the Engineering Plans were completed in December of 2009.

Following the completion of the design revisions, a revised project schedule was worked out with the contractor. According the revised schedule, Phase I (consisting of approximately 70% of the total project) is be completed by March 26, 2010 when there will be two lanes open (on North 2^nd 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 II, work will be done on the western 1/3^rd of the project area for the entire length of the project. According to the revised schedule, roads were to be open to unrestricted traffic by June 30, 2010 with final completion of the project scheduled in August, 2010.

As we all know, it has been severely cold, snowy and wet since Christmas, and as a result, no progress has been made in this project during the past month requiring yet another revision in the project schedule. It is very crucial that the northbound lane on North 2^nd street (through the construction site) is open to traffic (no longer requiring Detour through North Lawrence) before the closure of the East Lawrence Exit (Exit 204).

In response to a request by city staff, KTA has rescheduled closure of Exit 204 on April 05, 2010 (the original closure date was March 22, 2010). With that in mind, City and KDOT staff has worked out an agreement with RD Johnson, Inc. (general contractor for the project) to complete Phase I of this project by April 04, 2010 so a northbound lane on North 2^nd street will be open to traffic before Exit 204 is closed. In addition, North 2^nd Street will be open to unrestricted traffic by mid July with the final completion of the project in late August or early September of 2010.

We will be monitoring the weather conditions in the coming weeks and months, and will be taking necessary steps to avoid any further delays, and ensure timely completion of the project.