OLATHE, Kan. — Do you ever drive by work zones and wonder why there's no one working?
For example, construction is currently underway on Kansas 10 to repair the bridge over Woodland Road. But crews won't be out there for the next couple of weeks because the recently poured concrete is still curing, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.
That’s the case for many other work zones in the Kansas City metro. The concrete used in construction zones needs 21 days to cure before it reaches full strength, according to KDOT.
The more surprising part? The process requires moisture for the necessary chemical reactions to happen. To help the process, a water tank will be placed nearby to drip water on the concrete.
If the concrete dries out too quickly, it won't hold up.
During those 21 days, crews will work on other parts of the construction project if they're able.
“During the curing process, if there are other elements of the work zone that can be worked on, you might see crews out here," KDOT spokesman Mike Quizon said. "And, in fact, next week we are going to have crews out here to work on the approach, which is the section of roadway just before the bridge."
Quizon said the Woodland project should be finished at the end of July, which is on schedule.
Increased traffic on Kansas 10 has led to these needed repairs. Ten years ago, 55,000 cars on average drove on the highway every day. In 2018, that number had risen to 75,000 cars.
There are currently about 10 other construction zones in Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
