Bel Aire, Kan. – During a special meeting on April 29, Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) presented their geotechnical findings and reconstruction recommendations for Woodlawn to the Bel Aire City Council. PEC recommends reconstruction of the roadway between 45th Street and Quail Ridge Street, which includes removing and replacing unstable subsurface soil and the installation of an underground drainage system to address groundwater. For the remaining stretch between Quail Ridge and 37th Street, PEC advises installing similar underground drainage infrastructure and resurfacing the road using a mill and overlay process.
Concerns about the integrity of the new road began emerging in 2023 as the project neared completion. City officials began observing signs of premature failure, such as rutting, buckling, and tearing, which led to a pause in construction. After more than a year of discussions with the involved design engineers and contractors, the City filed a lawsuit in October of 2024 and authorized geotechnical investigations by PEC, in addition to those previously performed by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).
The investigations by both PEC and KDOT revealed that groundwater interacting with a subsurface layer known as Wellington Shale is the primary cause of Woodlawn’s failure. When saturated, Wellington Shale becomes a soft, sponge-like material, compromising the stability of structures built upon it. Although this shale is prevalent throughout Kansas and Oklahoma, it is generally found deeper underground. However, in certain areas along Woodlawn, due to the lowering of the grade, it is just a few inches below the surface, resulting in a weak foundation for the roadway.
To address this issue, PEC recommends the removal and reconstruction of the section of Woodlawn between 45th and Quail Ridge. This process would include excavating down and removing approximately two feet of the Wellington Shale and replacing it with stable base material. Additionally, an underground drainage system would be installed to redirect groundwater away from the roadbed and prevent future saturation of the road’s foundation.
For the segment between Quail Ridge and 37th, where the road is in better condition, PEC proposes a more moderate solution. Their plan calls for installing a similar drainage system outside the current curb and gutter and across low points in the road, followed by milling and overlaying the surface with new asphalt to ensure long-term durability.
“There is no denying the frustration and disappointment our entire community has felt throughout this project,” said Mayor Jim Benage on behalf of the Bel Aire City Council. “Fully understanding the underlying cause of Woodlawn's initial failure is a tremendous step in the right direction. With that clarity, we are now in a much better position to move forward and collaborate with our partners to develop a lasting solution. It is crucial that we get this right, and we are committed to doing so.”
The project remains open with KDOT, which has committed to covering the associated costs while the legal process continues. Now that the final geotechnical findings and reconstruction recommendations are available, the City will work closely with KDOT to evaluate all potential paths forward and begin shaping a clearer timeline for reconstruction.