Kansas Department of Transportation engineer Darrin Petrowsky appeared before county commissioners on a rainy Tuesday morning to tell them what they probably already knew. The unforgiving weather of the past few weeks has delayed completion of the Allen County portion of the construction project on U.S. 169.
In December, Petrowsky told commissioners to expect to see construction crews between Hawaii and Delaware roads wrapping up work sometime in April. But, on Tuesday, he updated his target date: June, he told them. End of June, probably. Possibly early July.
Just when you think youre going to make a few steps forward, said Petrowsky, pointing out the window, Mother Nature throws another curveball at you. The month of February was pretty much shot all the way [because of snow]…. And, right now, weve made a little progress but then again were already halfway through March.
Crews are expected to complete most of their work between Tank Farm (Delaware) Road and Hawaii Road by the end of April. And by early May, they hope to initiate a 60-day shutdown of the Tank Farm interchange. Once Tank Farm Road is reopened to unrestricted traffic and KDOT hopes to be able to do this in fewer than the slated 60 days this phase of the eventual 26-mile construction project will reach its conclusion, with road crews moving south into Neosho County.
But the effects of the project will linger. Since construction began nearly a year ago, Allen County road crews have been tracking the increased damage incurred by the smaller county roads especially along old Highway 169 as a result of the superabundance of motorists who use them as detours. And for just as long, KDOT officials have dangled the idea that they might help Allen County fund the reparation of these roads. The topic was broached again on Tuesday.
My boss is still adamant of offering something, Petrowsky told commissioners. What that is, well, theyre still arguing [among] themselves. … Theres the directions that my boss is giving me versus what people in Topeka are saying.
Petrowsky will meet with Allen Countys director of public works, Mitch Garner, on Friday to discuss the list of potential repairs and their respective costs. Its good to hear that Darrins being asked to get numbers and prices, so they can formulate how much they might be able to fund, said commission chair Jerry Daniels, after the groups meeting with Petrowsky. I know that theyre seriously considering [funding], so I hope it all works out for the best.
