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Topeka infrastructure committee approves six street, sidewalk and utility projects; adds $655,000 for SE 29th Street rehabilitation
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Summary
The City of Topeka Infrastructure Committee on Dec. 16 approved six projects, including a $655,000 increase to half‑cent sales tax funding to rehabilitate the box/bridge structure on Southeast 29th Street, and voted to forward the full SE 29th Street project package to the full City Council.
The City of Topeka Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to approve six street, sidewalk and utility projects and to forward the larger Southeast 29th Street project package to the full City Council.
Interim Director Tryon told the committee that bids for the Southeast 29th Street project, which runs from Adams to Kansas Avenue, came in well above the original engineer’s estimate. “What you have here is an amendment to a project for the construction of Southeast 29th Street from Adams to Kansas Avenue,” Tryon said, and requested an increase of $655,000 in half‑cent sales tax funding to rehabilitate the existing box structure that functions as a bridge on 29th Street rather than replace it in full.
Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz moved approval of the budget amendment; Councilman Dobler seconded. The motion passed 3‑0. Tryon said the committee then voted to forward the full SE 29th Street package — which he said includes half‑cent sales tax dollars, GO bond funds to replace a traffic signal at Fremont Street, and water/stormwater/wastewater funds — to the City Council for final consideration.
Committee members also approved a phased sidewalk/shared‑use path project intended to eventually connect Northwest Vail Avenue to Tyler Street. Tryon described the current phase as constructing a shared‑use path east from the Union Pacific Railroad toward Tyler Street, targeting an 8‑ to 10‑foot width depending on available right‑of‑way, to improve connections to a school on Northwest Lyman Street. Ortiz moved approval and the motion carried 3‑0.
The committee approved full reconstruction of a section of concrete pavement on Southwest 42nd Street/Houston Martin Drive, noting the route serves an industrial park and sees heavy truck traffic, and authorized associated stormwater inlet repairs. A separate action approved replacement of a deteriorated alley surface south of 2nd Street between Woodlawn and Greenwood Avenue with accompanying wastewater system repairs scheduled for construction in 2026.
On the maintenance side, the committee authorized the 2026 microsurfacing program focused on Southeast Topeka and a section of Burnett's Mound. Tryon said microsurfacing is intended to preserve pavement life and typically provides about five additional years of service depending on sunlight and moisture exposure; the work will be bid and specific street lists will be shared with council and neighborhoods as alternates are selected.
Chair David Banks closed the meeting by thanking staff and members for moving the agenda efficiently. Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz recognized that this was Councilman Dobler’s final Infrastructure Committee meeting and thanked him for his service; Dobler reflected positively on the committee’s work.
The committee recorded unanimous 3‑0 votes on the items it considered and announced its next meeting for Jan. 20, 2026.
