The City of Topeka is kicking off its “Fix Our Streets” construction projects for the 2021 construction season, which are typically constructed from March through November. These projects are consistent with the City’s Pavement Management Program (PMP) and are essential to restoring and maintaining our streets.
“This year will be a good construction season with many projects planned. We definitely appreciated the patience and understanding of the residents and the traveling public while we strive to improve the roadways in Topeka,” said Mark Schreiner, Interim City Engineer. “Our contractors have shown strong resolve and perseverance in 2020, some finishing jobs ahead of schedule and we fully expect another successful construction season in 2021.”
The Pavement Management Program consists of three components:
1.) Pavement Condition (evaluating the streets and creating a cost-effective treatment strategy)
2.) Four Treatment Strategies
- Reconstruction (remove and replace),
- Rehabilitation (mill and overlay),
- Preventive Maintenance (crack sealing and micro surfacing), and
- Stop Gap Measures (pothole patching, which is keeping streets in serviceable condition)
3.) Funding Sources – Citywide Half Cent Sales Tax, Countywide Half Cent Sales Tax, General Obligation Bonds, Motor Fuel Trust Fund, and other Federal and State aid.
Complete details for all street projects can be found on the City of Topeka’s Project Portal at https://projects.topeka.org/ . For County Road Project information, call 785 251-6101.
2021 Pavement Management Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Program
- SW 10th – SW Fairlawn Rd. to west of SW Woodbridge Dr. SW Wanamaker Rd. Widening – Phase II (2nd year of a two-year project) – #701015.00 March 1, 2021 – November 19, 2021. This trafficway project includes grading, pavement reconstruction, curb and gutter, and storm sewer structures. It also includes Complete Street features such as a 10-foot multi-use path on the north side, 5 foot sidewalks on the south, and bus stops. Combined 2020-2021 Budget: $6 million. Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax and GO Bonds. Contractor: Bettis Asphalt.
- N Kansas Ave. – N. Curtis St. to N. Norris St. – #841017.91. 2021 Construction: Carried over from 2020. This project experienced scheduling delays due to Union Pacific Railroad right of way access requirements. It includes full depth asphalt pavement reconstruction, sidewalk and ADA ramp replacement, and storm sewer and water line replacement on N Kansas Ave. between Curtis St. and Norris St. The contractor placed the water and sewer line under the UP Railroad tracks in January 2021 after boring under them. Construction is anticipated to be completed this spring or early summer. Budget: $500,000 (street only). Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax. Contractor: Amino Brothers Company, Inc.
- 12th St. – SW Gage Blvd. to S. Kansas Ave. – #701016.00; Construction: March 1 – November 23, 2021; Jan. 2 – Nov. 23, 2022. Season 1: S. Kansas to SW Washburn; Season 2: Washburn to SW Gage. The new roadway will include one traffic lane, one auxiliary lane for on-street parking, deliveries and bus pullouts, and a combination of shared use paths, on-street bike facilities, and a 5′ sidewalk. This project also includes improvements to the Water and Storm conveyance systems. Budget: $13.2 million. Funding Source: Countywide Sales Tax and Federal Fund Exchange dollars. Contractor: Bettis Asphalt, Inc.
- SW 8th Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project – #241058.01. Construction: March 15, 2021 – April 30, 2021 (Contractual dates)
This project is part of the 2020 Infill Sidewalk / Pedestrian Master Plan. The location of the select sidewalk replacements is SW 8th Street from Summit Avenue to Topeka Boulevard. This project was on hold in 2020 until the SW 8th Street bikeways project was completed. Budget: $119,000. Funding: GO Bonds. Contractor: Sunflower Paving.
- N Kansas Ave. – N. Morse St. to N. Soldier Creek St. – #841017.85. Construction: March 22-Dec. 2. This project consists of complete removal and replacement of the street surface, a new water line, and some new sidewalk and storm water drain repairs. Two-way traffic will be maintained during the project except for about a month when the south leg of the N. Kansas and Morse intersection will be closed. Budget: $1.5 million (street only). Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax. Construction Contractor: R.D. Johnson Excavating.
- SW Topeka Blvd. – 45th to 49th Street Repair Project – #841077.00. Construction: April 5, 2021 – June 11, 2021. This street repair project for SW Topeka Blvd. from SW 45th St. to SW 49th St. includes the mill and overlay of the existing asphalt pavement, with limited full depth patching, pavement marking, and limited regrading of gravel shoulders. Budget: $483,000. Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax. Construction Contractor: Sunflower Paving.
- Central Park Neighborhood SORT Project – #601106.01. Start Date: April 5 – October 29.
This project will reconstruct 37,826 square feet of sidewalk, repave 5 alleys, and select sanitary sewer sections. The work will be done in the area bordered by SW Polk/Central Park Ave./Huntoon St./16th St. and SW Polk/SW Buchanan St./SW 16th/SW 17th St. Budget: $1.5 million. Funding Source: GO Bonds. Construction Contractor: Sunflower Paving.
- Deer Creek Trafficway – I-70 to SE 6th Street – #841072.00. Construction: April 12 – July 16 This is a mill and overlay project with some full depth patching. Budget: $600,000. Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax. Contractor: Bettis Asphalt.
- SE California – 6th to 10th (one block long) – #841060.09. Construction: April 12 – August 27 (Contractual dates). This project is a Storm Water Utility-driven project. The streets will be repaired following utility work. Budget: $280,000 (street only). Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax. Contractor: Farmers Excavating.
- NW Furman Road – Lower Silver Lake Road (¼ mile from intersection) – #841060.04. Estimated Start Date: mid-June. This project includes removal and replacement of the existing asphalt roadway, an increase in the roadway elevation near the Lower Silver Lake Road intersection, and enlarging the ditch on the east side of the roadway. Budget: $380,000. Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax.
City Half Cent Sales Tax – Mill & Overlay Projects
- SE 37th – Indiana to California #841060.20
Construction: Starts April 19
This project is a mill & overlay of the street and new curb and gutter on the south side. Estimated cost: $200,000. Construction Contractor: Hamm, Inc.
- SW 30th/SW Hillcrest/SW Twilight Dr./SW Eveningside Drive
This project includes removal of asphalt curbs and replacement with concrete ones, and a mill & overlay of the street. Estimated cost: $500,000
Various City Half Cent Sales Tax Funded Programs
2021 Curb and Gutter Replacement Program. Budget: $1,250,000
The curb and gutter replacement program pays for replacements associated with mill & overlay projects.
2021 Alley Program. Budget: $500,000
These three alley repairs in the NOTO district are scheduled for repairs in late summer/early fall:
- Between Quincy/Kansas from St. Johns to Paramore
- Between Kansas/Jackson from Norris to Laurent
- Between Kansas/Jackson from Laurent to Gordon
2021 ADA Sidewalk Ramp Program. Budget: $300,000
This program constructs accessible public sidewalk ramps at street intersections. Each year, funds are spent in a general area. This approach provides the greatest impact for improving overall accessibility. Work this year will be in the following areas:
- North Topeka West Neighborhood – (neighborhood west of NW Topeka Blvd. from the river to 24 Highway)
- Downtown/Monroe
- Topeka Blvd Corridor.
Specific, final locations are still to be determined.
Intersection pavement reconstruction projects
These two intersections will be completed in late summer/early fall:
- SW 6th and Jackson – Budget: $ 250,000
- SW 29th and Kansas Ave – Budget: $ 250,000 -$ 300,000
Sidewalk Repair Program. Budget: $100,000
- Sidewalk panel replacements associated with the 50/50 Sidewalk Program. This financial assistance program is mostly property-owner driven and funds are spent on a first-come, first-served basis.
City Half Cent Sales Tax Projects Less Than $250,000
- SE 6th – Norwood to Rice Road (multiple years). Panel and joint replacement; late summer/early fall.
- SW 29th – MacVicar to Burlingame. Failed partial-depth concrete patch replacement; late summer/early fall. MacVicar to Fairlawn is planned in 2022.
- Panel and Joint Replacement (concrete) Program – Various locations across Topeka.
- Asphalt Patching Program – Various locations across Topeka.
2021 Surface Preservation Program – Budget $2,000,000
- Crack seal and/or joint seal ‘arterials’ constructed in last 10 years+/- across Topeka
- Crack seal/micro-surface residential/collectors roadways.
- Finish neighborhood streets in west Topeka that were not accomplished in 2020.