As you may know, Woodlawn is a WAMPO Project receiving federal highway dollars, overseen by KDOT, acting as the City’s agent in Bel Aire. Mayor Benage recently sent a letter to KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed, seeking assistance with the issues at hand. That letter is available to read at https://belaireks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11433/KDOT-Sec-Reed-20231208-Woodlawn. Secretary Reed visited Bel Aire on December 18th, personally inspecting Woodlawn to understand the issues firsthand. He then met with our team on December 19th to discuss and determine how KDOT could assist.
Secretary Reed committed that KDOT will take the lead in investigating the root cause(s) of the road failure and options for appropriate repair. KDOT's geotechnical team from Topeka will examine material samples, core drilling reports, inspection documents, and other relevant documentation. They will also review the design plans to identify the cause of the road failure and present repair options with cost estimates. The comprehensive report will be delivered to the City Council by February 1, 2024.
We hear your frustrations regarding this project and updates provided. We know they aren’t as frequent or may not be providing the information that is desired. Given the potential for litigation, our legal counsel advises limited communication that could impact legal remedies. Please know we are focused and actively working towards getting this project completed with a quality road. Securing KDOT's involvement is a notable step forward, and we appreciate Secretary Reed's leadership in addressing this project for Bel Aire.