Kansas Department of Transportation
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Turner Diagonal to eastbound I-70 ramp will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, around the clock for approximately 35 days, weather permitting, so crews can complete repair work to the damaged bridge ramp.
Estimated cost for bridge repair project is approximately $500,000.
A marked detour will be provided during the 35-day ramp closure via westbound I-70 to southbound Turner Diagonal back to westbound I-70.
The following overnight lane closures are needed so that crews can begin removal of the damaged bridge ramp parts. Times and dates are listed for the two overnight roadway closures. No marked detours will be provided during these overnight closures.
Closed beginning at time listed below on Thursday, September 26, 2013 and reopening to all traffic at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2013
6 p.m. ----- Westbound I-70 right lane at Turner Diagonal
6 p.m. ----- Eastbound I-70 left lane at Turner Diagonal
6 p.m. ----- Westbound I-70 left lane at 57th Street
7 p.m. ----- Westbound I-70 right two lanes at Turner Diagonal
7 p m ----- Westbound I-70 left two lanes at 57th Street
8 p.m. ----- Westbound I-70 (all lanes) at 57th Street
Closed beginning at time listed below on Friday, September 27, 2013 and reopening to all traffic at the times listed on Saturday, September 28, 2013:
7 p.m. ----- Eastbound I-70 left lane at Turner Diagonal until 8:00 a.m.
7 p.m. ----- Westbound I-70 right two lanes at Turner Diagonal until 8:00 a.m.
9 p.m. ----- Westbound I-70 left two lanes at 57th Street until 2:00 a.m.
10 p.m. ----- Westbound I-70 (all lanes) at 57th Street until 2:00 a.m.
As of 1:30 p.m. on Monday, August 19, the Turner Diagonal to eastbound I-70 bridge ramp is open but restricted to one 12-foot lane due to damage on the bridge ramp structure under the bridge deck from an August 17th related traffic incident.
Inspection work has been completed, parts need to be ordered, and once the parts arrive, then repairs will be made to fix the damaged bridge structure. Project work is scheduled to be completed in early November 2013, weather permitting.
Regarding the damaged concrete on the bridge ramp structure itself, Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Turnpike Authority bridge crews worked diligently to remove loose and unstable concrete from the bridge ramp prior to reopening I-70 to unrestricted traffic following the bridge incident. The night of the incident crews used a bucket truck while the interstate was closed to remove the loose concrete.
The remaining concrete contained within the damaged area is bonded to and around the reinforcing strands (horizontal and inclined steel strands in photo below) and the stirrups (vertical steel bars in photo below) which are integrated into the overall bridge structure.
The remaining concrete is held sufficiently by the girder reinforcement on the bridge. On top of the bridge ramp itself, concrete barrier has been placed which shifts traffic off the damaged bridge girder area.
The primary reinforcement (and the source of the prestressing) in the beams are the cables that run horizontally. Some of the cables along the bottom are harped, inclined up at the ends.
These cables are made up of multiple individual wires bundled together and are properly called strands. The shear reinforcement for the beam is provided by the stirrups, which are steel bars. The concrete that remains in place is actually bonded around the reinforcing steel.
Safety of the traveling public is at the core of every decision that the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Turnpike Authority make. Both KDOT and KTA crews continue to monitor the ramp bridge and will continue to do so until the needed repairs are made.
Repair work includes the fabrication and placement of a new bridge girder that will extend from the center pier to the east pier of the ramp bridge. In preparation for the replacement of the damaged girder, a portion of the bridge deck, the bridge rail and damaged girder will need to be removed.
Photos from the August 17th traffic incident are shown below and on the Kansas Department of Transportation – Northeast Kansas Facebook Page located at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.415602698541762.1073741852.144159602352741&type=1&l=ee67d32be9
Updated daily traffic information for the Kansas City Metro Area can be viewed online 24/7 round the clock at: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp.
