Topeka infrastructure committee approves package of street, bridge and signal projects

The Topeka Public Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 18 voted 3-0 to approve a package of street, bridge and traffic-signal projects, ranging from sidewalk and curb repairs to full-depth roadway reconstruction and bridge repairs.

Committee members Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz, Councilman David Banks and Councilman Neil Dobler voted to approve each action after staff summarized the scope and funding sources.

Committee staff said the projects will be funded from a mix of the citywide half-cent sales tax, stormwater revenue bonds and operating funds, general-obligation bonds and federal funds for bridge work. Steve Groen, the staff presenter for most of the items, told the committee the first two items were on the prior month's committee but returned to fix language in the resolution. Braxton, a staff member who led discussion on several projects, said the Southwest Topeka Boulevard reconstruction recommendation was for full-depth replacement after core sampling found the original concrete to be "absolutely failing." Braxton said, "we did make the recommendation that we do full depth reconstruction on this."

Notable projects approved included:

- Southwest Topeka Boulevard (20 First Street to 15th Street): described as full reconstruction including curb and gutter, sidewalk and pedestrian ramp replacement and stormwater repairs. Staff presented a project budget described in the meeting as "just shy of $8,000,000," with $6,117,060 from…