Get the overpasses right

It was alarming to learn that a problem with concrete panels in the $98 million Central Rail Corridor Grade Separation Project will necessitate a $1 million to $2 million fix and risk some delay in completion of the overpasses, scheduled for fall 2008. To be sure, this is no Big Dig — Massachusetts’ unending highway construction project, where a woman was killed last month by falling concrete ceiling panels. And it’s better that such flaws be found now. But it’s best that city officials and contractors ensure this community improvement is done right, preferably the first time. Fortunately for taxpayers, the tab for the do-over will be the responsibility of the contractors.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

9 Comments

  1. concernedtaxpayer
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 12:53 am | Permalink

    Maybe the problem is the quality of workers these consruction companies hire. We are just lucky that someone caught this problem before someone did get killed.

  2. Joe Williams
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 5:57 am | Permalink

    The new overpass on east Kellogg by the Turnpike has concrete panels that have shifted out of place. (I read the readers concern about this in the Eagle).

    Also! If you notice the new stretch of east Kellogg underpasses that was recently completed. It has already begun to fall apart. Some of the concrete ribs on the retaining walls have all ready broken off and fall off. It hasn’t even been a year!

    I don’t know if they use a poor quality of concrete or workmanship, but at this rate, the new Kellogg underpass is going to look pretty $hitty very quickly.

    I’m pretty upset! The city should ask for warrenty re-work to be done immediatlly.

  3. Joe Williams
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 6:04 am | Permalink

    I also notice that during the bridge work on Ridge Road over Kellogg was being done last year or so, that they developed a large crack at each pylon. The contractors then proceeded to patch the crack. You can see where they did it. It looks bad.

    What is up with the workmanship?

  4. Ben Huie
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 7:55 am | Permalink

    I agree Joe – they seem to be shoddy everywhere. I have also noticed the poor drainage from the pavement surface in many areas along Kellogg.

    “Quality Kansas Construction” – yea right!

  5. Dennis
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 9:59 am | Permalink

    Where are the city inspectors? Doesn’t anybody keep track of this stuff? They sure do when you want to install a hot water heater in your home.

  6. fedup
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 11:50 am | Permalink

    Shoddy workmanship, shoddy materials – sounds like greed is working somewhere here. You would think with $98 million these construction companies could get it right. If not, the inspectors need to tell them to rip it out and start over on their own dime.

  7. JWink
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 12:05 pm | Permalink

    Amazing that Wichita had some great construction work done here back in the early 1900’s. I’m thinking of the downtown railroad station and various railroad overpasses; the Broadview Hotel; the Hillside and Douglas apartment building (can’t remember it’s name); some of the downtown hi-rise office buildings; many beautiful churches; the main building of Friends University (actually built in the 1880’s or 1890’s), my house in Delano (1922).

    But now, these major Wichita construction projects begin falling apart almost as soon as they are completed. Why?

  8. JWink
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 12:05 pm | Permalink

    Amazing that Wichita had some great construction work done here back in the early 1900’s. I’m thinking of the downtown railroad station and various railroad overpasses; the Broadview Hotel; the Hillside and Douglas apartment building (can’t remember it’s name); some of the downtown hi-rise office buildings; many beautiful churches; the main building of Friends University (actually built in the 1880’s or 1890’s), my house in Delano (1922).

    But now, these major Wichita construction projects begin falling apart almost as soon as they are completed. Why?

  9. RD
    Posted August 22, 2006 at 1:44 pm | Permalink

    Maybe they should stop trying to be “pretty” and make something that lasts.