Why is my Road Closed?
If you’re following along with our Weekly Construction Updates, you know KC Streetcar Constructors (KCSC) are working up and down the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension corridor. And sometimes this work involves closing side streets.
We often get questions asking why roads are closed for this work. KCSC understands that road closures are inconvenient and continues to work to reduce impacts and give as much notice as possible. KCSC is committed to avoiding any unnecessary Main Street closures unless an emergency repair situation arises.
There are three primary reasons a road is anticipated to close on this project:
Track construction
Pedestrian improvements
Underground electrical work
Before a road closes, KCSC follows a standard notification process at least 48 hours prior which includes hanging doorhangers on residences, going door-to-door to any impacted businesses, sending a direct email to stakeholders near the closure, sending an email to the full KCSC mailing list, and publishing a tweet on our @BuildKCSC Twitter account.
Crews were pouring concrete for the track slab at the intersection of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Drive and Main Street.
Track Construction
Every intersection to the east and west of Main Street and Brookside Boulevard is scheduled to close for at least 1-2 weeks to allow crews to construct the streetcar track. Track installation is an extensive, multi-step process that five crews are responsible for: Civil, Track, Quality, Rebar, and Concrete crews.
Civil Crew. This crew is responsible for demolishing, excavating, and grading the roadway. Once the road is torn up, the Civil Crew reshapes the land by grading. Grading is the process of shaping the ground to a certain level base or specific slope to meet the design requirements.
Once the grade is ready, our Quality Team reviews the work to ensure it matches the design specifications. Then it’s time for track!
Track Crews work in the early morning hours to move rail from the rail storage area to the work zone. Then they weld the rail together and build the track, adding the boot to keep tracks in good operating condition and prevent damage from excessive heat and vibration.
Rebar Crews. Once the track is built, Rebar Crews move in to tie rebar, or reinforcing bar, around the track. The rebar helps make the concrete stronger and able to resist breaking under tension.
Once the rebar and track are built, our Quality Team reviews the work to ensure it matches the design specifications. When it’s ready, the Concrete Crew moves in.
The Concrete Crew is responsible for two concrete pours: track slab and infill. The track slab is the first concrete pour which connects the track and rebar. When the track slab cures and is ready, crews will pour the remaining concrete, or the infill, which connects the track to the existing roadway on Main Street.
Once both pours are complete, our Quality Team reviews the work to ensure it matches the design specifications. Once it’s ready, crews can reopen the road.
When possible, crews will tackle intersection work in phases. If the intersection is a key intersection and it’s wide enough, work will be done in halves which allows traffic to still flow through. There are also instances that metal plates will be placed on the intersection in between demo, track being built, and concrete being poured to allow for access to remain. KCSC works closely with businesses to coordinate scheduling and to preserve access.
Crews were installing pedestrian improvements at the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Main Street.
Pedestrian Improvements
Along with track installation, some key intersections receive additional pedestrian improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks, and ADA ramps as part of the project. This work can take up to six weeks to complete. When needed, our crews close the road to complete the work safely and efficiently which allows crews to build wider sidewalks and ADA ramps, install red crosswalks, and construct new curbs.
Underground Electrical Work
Five TPSS, or traction power substations, will be installed throughout the Main Street Extension to power the streetcar. Installation of these substations require crews to install vaults and other electrical equipment under the roads.
New traffic signals and pedestrian lights are also being installed on Main Street and Brookside Boulevard as part of this project. Crews need to close a portion of certain intersections to remove and replace existing infrastructure, as well as laying the framework for new signals.
Additional road closures may be needed for private utility relocation work or utility upgrades.
You can follow along with our progress by signing up for project updates, including the Weekly Construction Update. This Friday newsletter includes all the construction happening on Main Street for the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension, including road closures, so you can be prepared for the week ahead.