Bel Aire a step closer to addressing North Woodlawn repaving issues
BEL AIRE, Kan. (KSNW) — The City of Bel Aire is a step closer to addressing the stalled pavement replacement project on Woodlawn between 37th and 45th Street.
In late 2021, the city began rebuilding the section of Woodlawn from 37th to 45th, but as it neared completion in fall 2023, sections of the northbound lanes were warped and sinking. The city commissioned geotechnical testing to determine what was causing the problem and found water underneath the roadway.
The city contracted Professional Engineering Consultants to conduct more in-depth testing, including the installation of monitoring wells. Groundwater can compromise a road surface when it rises to within 4 feet of the pavement base.
Flooding causing problems for farmers trying to harvest
PEC was able to discover that groundwater was moving over the top of the Wellington Shale. The Wellington Shale layer was within a foot of the pavement base in several locations, allowing the groundwater to compromise the road.
PEC is recommending that the shale layer be excavated at least an additional two feet and an underdrain system be designed and installed to remove the groundwater from underneath the road. Their findings were presented this week to the Bel Aire City Commission.
The city says they are now working with professionals to develop design recommendations to address the groundwater issues.
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