Wichita – The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) has evaluated additional efforts to reduce flooding concerns south of Emporia following a fatal crash on July 10.
The Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Turnpike Authority reported an accident on July 10 killed a driver in flash floodwaters after sliding off a wet stretch of Interstate 35. Zachary Clark, 21, Keller, TX., died in the crash.
The KTA reported in a media release today that items evaluated were additional water monitoring systems, permanent flood warning signs and guardrail. These items are in addition to the installation of 16 additional digital message signs, changes to weather warning notices and planned culvert improvements.
During internal discussions and review, KTA also made a notable change to its drainage structure designs. Current national guidelines call for drainage structures on Interstate highways to accommodate water from a 50- year storm. However, KTA will be shifting its focus from the design of the structure to the result of that design on the roadway – which ultimately is what’s important to travelers. The new focus is to keep water off the roadway during a 100-year storm, regardless of how the structure is designed. Five of the six drainage structures to be installed in 2016 meet this goal. The remaining structure, located at MM 116, will be redesigned prior to installation.
Other determinations made by KTA are listed below and can also be found at: http://bit.ly/1EvBo9D
GUARDRAIL NEAR MM 116-118: KTA and consulting engineers reviewed the possibility of guardrail installation to protect motorists from water on or near the roadway due to flooding. Because guardrail itself can be a roadway hazard, it should only be installed when the object it is designed to protect can’t be removed, i.e. bridge pillars, permanent body of water, tree or steep slope. Therefore, guardrail will not be installed to protect against potential flooding that is already being addressed with these drainage structure improvements.
ADDITIONAL MONITORING SYSTEMS: Two water alert systems are already in place at MM 116 and 199 to notify key KTA personnel when water begins to rise at those locations. An additional stream monitor will be installed at MM 118. This monitor will be operational mid-September.
PERMANENT FLOOD WARNING SIGNS: KTA has selected the type of permanent caution signage to alert travelers to the potential for flash flooding. These will include a total of six signs, four of which will have flashing lights that are activated when the stream monitors at MM 116 and MM 118 indicate the culvert is half full. These signs will be installed by mid-September.