The city of Topeka, Kansas, has officially approved a $1 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) outlining critical projects over the short, medium and long-term. The Topeka City Council adopted the plan during its Oct. 21 meeting, prioritizing improvements for the city’s streets, sidewalks and other assorted infrastructure projects.
The largest program featured in the Topeka capital plan is the $140 million Pavement Management Program. The program will work to rehabilitate and reconstruct existing streets across 1,622 lane miles. The ongoing project has been essential for improving the city’s Pavement Condition Index, raising it from 54 in 2016 to 67.71 in 2022.
The city has allocated $113.7 million to support the Water Main Replacement Program, as part of its efforts to upgrade aging water main infrastructure. The planned upgrades will improve water quality and fire flow protection while reducing operational costs. The city will also implement public education initiatives on lead risks and assessments of distribution materials to further safeguard the city’s water mains.
The Wastewater Lining and Replacement Program will receive the third largest investment from the city at $66.8 million. The program will identify and rehabilitate pipelines before they rupture, preventing the need for emergency repairs. The city’s proactive efforts to rehabilitate, replace, observe and analyze sanitary infrastructure will provide essential preventative services for nearby neighborhoods and maintain the integrity of the city’s wastewater lines.
The fourth largest program featured in the Topeka capital plan is the $54.1 million Stormwater Conveyance System Rehabilitation and Replacement Program. The city plans to rehabilitate or replace stormwater conveyance systems assets – including inlets, pipes and channels – as needed. The work will ensure that Topeka’s stormwater conveyance infrastructure will be able to operate properly with fewer maintenance needs. The city will integrate innovative rehabilitative methods such as plastic or cement pipe lining when feasible.
Photo by Volker Braun from Pexels
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