Water issues addressed in test sites along U.S. 169 project in Allen County

A solar panel and data logger is installed at a U.S.169 testing site to monitor the ongoing effectiveness of the geotextile fabric.

By Priscilla Petersen,
Southeast Kansas Public Affairs Manager

U.S. 169 is currently closed between Humboldt and Iola for reconstruction of the pavement. The driving surface on the highway section had deteriorated significantly through the years and is now being rebuilt, starting at the base.

KDOT has installed rolls of wicking geotextile fabric on top of the roadway subgrade at two test sections along the U.S. 169 pavement reconstruction project in Allen County.

According to KDOT Pavement Design Leader Ryan Barrett, water plays a major factor in many cases of distressed highway pavement throughout the state of Kansas. To address moisture issues on U.S. 169, two 1,000-foot-long test sections of wicking geotextile fabric have been installed on the project. Barrett said that removing water and reducing moisture in the base and subgrade soils can minimize pavement distresses and prolong the life of the pavement.

A moisture sensor is installed.

He said the geotextile fabric has been used successfully on projects in other states, and is a promising technology for dealing with moisture problems in roadways. Moisture and temperature sensors with data loggers have been set up on the test sections to monitor the effectiveness of the wicking geotextile fabric. The data collected from the sensors and other testing processes will be used to evaluate performance of wicking geotextile for moisture reduction.