News Summary
Monticello Road at 60th Street in Shawnee will undergo a temporary closure for emergency repairs to stormwater pipes from August 4 to August 8. This urgent repair is due to heightened sinkhole risks from recent rainfalls. A more extensive closure is planned for September to fully replace deteriorating stormwater infrastructure. City officials are prioritizing road safety and have approved a $2 million budget for repairs, reassuring residents that detours will be in place during the process.
Shawnee – Monticello Road at 60th Street in Shawnee will experience a temporary closure from August 4 to August 8 for emergency repairs to stormwater pipes. This urgent action is necessary due to potential sinkhole risks heightened by recent heavy rainfall, which has worsened conditions along the roadway.
The emergency repairs are considered short-term; a more extensive closure for complete stormwater pipe replacement is scheduled for September. This planned closure follows the temporary fix, which aims to mitigate immediate risks as the city prepares for the prolonged work ahead.
Roadway plates are currently covering the damage near Mill Valley High School, where a 10-foot deep sinkhole has already formed, attributed to a failing underground stormwater pipe. According to city officials, the existing stormwater system has significantly deteriorated, with many pipes exceeding their estimated lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
City spokesperson Doug Donahoo indicated that the repairs couldn’t be delayed, as the risk of additional sinkholes presents a significant concern. Continuing heavy rainfall in July has escalated worries about road safety and infrastructure stability. The failed pipe in question is a 69-inch by 96-inch corrugated metal arch pipe, originally installed in 1999.
The stormwater system under Monticello Road is predominantly composed of corrugated metal pipes, which the city plans to replace gradually with reinforced concrete options. The new pipes are expected to last up to 100 years, providing a lasting solution to ongoing issues. The current emergency repairs will utilize a combination of a reinforced concrete box and a geopolymer lining, with costs for the latter estimated to be around $995,000.
The city council has approved a $2 million budget to fund these critical repairs, which will prevent further deterioration of Monticello Road and minimize the need for a major emergency closure in the future. Funding for this project is supported by a bond issue that voters approved in 2023 via the Parks and Pipes sales tax.
Community members, particularly those living near Mill Valley High School, are keen for the repairs to proceed swiftly, especially with the new school year approaching. Classes at the school, part of the De Soto School District, are set to commence shortly, but local officials assert that there will be no expected impact on school operations during the repairs.
To accommodate for the temporary road closures, detours will be marked along Shawnee Mission Parkway, Woodland Drive, and Johnson Drive, ensuring alternative routes are available for commuters. Ongoing communication from the city will keep residents informed about potential traffic disruptions as work progresses.
The completion timeline for the upcoming full-scale repairs is projected to take four months, emphasizing the urgency to finish before the school year begins. The city’s Public Works Department is responsible for overseeing the entire repair process, which will begin immediately following City Council approval.
While the community remains vigilant regarding the effects of heavy rainfall and aging infrastructure, city officials are committed to addressing the immediate and long-term needs of Shawnee’s stormwater system. With ongoing maintenance and strategic planning, the city aims to enhance road safety and infrastructure resilience for years to come.
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Additional Resources
- KSHB: Emergency Repairs Near Mill Valley High School
- Wikipedia: Sinkhole
- Johnson County Post: Shawnee Approves Sinkhole Repair
- Google Search: Road Infrastructure Repair
- KMBC: Tornadoes in Johnson County
- Google Scholar: Stormwater Management
- Johnson County Post: Shawnee Development Projects
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Emergency Repairs Infrastructure
- Johnson County Post: EV Charging Stations
- Google News: Infrastructure Challenges
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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