KDOT crews assisted firefighting efforts

More than a week has passed since the record-breaking wildfires burned over 1,000 square miles of the state. The flames, which were fueled by an abundance of grass, low humidity and strong winds, devastated lives and left some parts of Kansas looking like a barren wasteland.  Governor Sam Brownback has made a disaster declaration for 20 counties in Kansas.

One person was killed and 11 were injured as a result of these fires. The blazes destroyed at least 40 homes and countless livestock.

Last Monday, when the wildfires appeared to be the most numerous, 21 counties were reporting some form of fire event.

KDOT crews in several areas answered the call to assist the firefighters who stood on the front lines against these out-of-control flames.

In Northwest Kansas, Josh Hudson, the Supervisor at the Stockton Sub-Area, worked with his crew to help control traffic on Monday and Tuesday in Rooks County.  They were also able to help fight the flames along U.S. 183 south of Stockton.

U.S. 183 south of Stockton was among the many places affected by the wildfires in Kansas last week. 

KDOT crews were able to assist Firefighters in Rooks county. 

“Senior Equipment Operator, Chad Boyle and I worked with the fire departments and assisted on the fire trucks fighting the fire,” Hudson said. “It was a very long day."

“We had the loader and motor grader south of town making fire breaks to stop the fire from going any farther,” Hudson said.  “We had a truck with water being used.”

The large flames and smoky conditions proved to be a challenge for everyone involved.

Smoky conditions limited visibility and made fighting the flames difficult.

“The smoke made it impossible to see anything on U.S. 183 between town and the top of the hill south of Stockton,” Hudson said.  “There were flames taller than the motor grader burning the right of way.”

On Wednesday, the National Guard out of Salina provided 26 air drops with 660 gallons of water per drop to extinguish areas that they were not able to reach.

The Kansas National Guard out of Salina provided relief with 26 air drops to help extinguish the flames. 

“It was nice to see all the communities and government agencies work together to get this fire under control,” Hudson said.

Farther south, Clark County was hit hardest by the fires, with more than 500,000 acres of land devastated by the flames. One of the state’s smallest communities, Englewood, was severely affected, with at least 12 homes destroyed. 

A damaged sign rests on the charred ground in Clark County. 

Area Superintendent Galen Ludlow said that KDOT crews in the area mostly assisted with traffic control and closing routes where the smoke and fire burned the roadways.

“I was in contact with all my personnel in Ness, Hodgeman, Ford, Clark and Gray counties to get the crews in position to detour traffic,” Ludlow said. “We had to close the highways at the state line going both ways, so I was in contact with Oklahoma to stop traffic going into Oklahoma and vice versa coming into Kansas.”

The flames that destroyed more than 500,000 acres of land in Clark County also affected Kansas roads. Note the coloration change of this highway where the heat from the flames burned the asphalt. 

Ludlow said this was the first time he had ever been involved with a fire of that size and scale. 

“We started with the fire here in Dodge City at approximately 1 p.m.,” Ludlow said. “We received a call from the KHP and Ford County communications that they were requiring traffic assistance. It was a pretty big fire that was burning around the four-way stop at the U.S. 283 and U.S. 56/400 Junction on the south end of Dodge City.”

Ludlow said that the fire in Clark County had caused a great deal of damage to a lot of KDOT’s inventory such as signs and guardrails.

“620 of our guardrail systems were burned in Clark County,” Ludlow said. 

One of many damaged guardrail systems in Clark County. 

One of many damaged guardrail systems in Clark County. 

Ludlow said that it could take several months to clean up and rebuild.

“For us it will entail going out and replacing what was burned,” Ludlow said. “The locals will have lots of cleanup from buildings that have burned up. We are still in the process of deciding how we are going to handle the guardrail situation. It’s such a large scale that it could take an estimated several months to complete.”

Another damaged highway sign after it was burned by the flames. 

Zach Oswald, the Public Affairs Manager in Southcentral Kansas said that KDOT also assisted with traffic during the Reno County fires last week.

“KDOT crews were actively involved in flagging and redirecting traffic along alternative routes,” Oswald said.

“As of Friday, the burned area along K-61 extended along the west side from 56^th Street to roughly Tobacco Road,” Oswald said. “The fire didn’t cross south of 56^th Avenue.”

KDOT Right of Way burned from the Reno County wildfire. 

Oswald said that the closed section of K-61 was used as a fire block to prevent the fires from spreading east of K-61.

“The highway remained closed until the fires had been contained and was safe for public use.”

KDOT would like to thank all who risked their lives to help fight the fires that devastated parts of the state last week. 

U.S. 69 expansion project begins with groundbreaking celebration

Construction of the U.S. 69 expansion project was celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony. 

U.S. 69 expansion project begins with groundbreaking celebration          

KDOT celebrated the start of the U.S. 69 expansion project with a groundbreaking ceremony earlier today in Bourbon County.

"We at KDOT are proud to be part of this important project and look forward to its successful completion." Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson said.

The $20.4 million T-WORKS construction project will expand a six-mile section of U.S. 69 to a four-lane upgradable expressway.  The project, which begins at the Crawford-Bourbon County line, extends north and ends at the divided four-lane pavement south of the city of Fort Scott.

Two lanes will be added to the existing highway, and at-grade intersections will be constructed at Arrowhead, Birch, Calvary, Deer and Fern roads.

The project is expected to reach completion by November 2018. 

Transit Day at the Statehouse makes a stop at Kansas Capitol

A visitor stops by a booth which details transit routes in Kansas communities.  

KDOT and the Kansas Public Transit Association hosted Transit Day at the Statehouse in Topeka yesterday. The event, in its second year, highlighted the work that more than 150 different agencies from across the state do to provide reliable, clean and useful transit and paratransit services to the people of Kansas.

Attendees met with state’s service providers, toured new transit and paratransit vehicles and learned about new technologies being used. Secretary Richard Carlson, Rep. Richard Proehl, Sen. Jake LaTurner and Susan Duffy, Chair of the Kansas Public Transit Association, gave a briefing on public transportation in Kansas
during the event.

Visitors had the opportunity to stop and visit with different agencies that provide reliable, safe and useful transit services across the state. 

“Public transit is here for us all – rural, urban, young and old alike – but we don’t spend much time talking about it,” KDOT Public Transit Manager Mike Spadafore said. “We hope that Transit Day gave everyone the opportunity to ask questions and learn about transit and paratransit services available in Kansas. Our goal is to keep people living in and connected to their communities as long as possible.”

#IAMKDOT: Kevin Jirak

This month’s #IAMKDOT feature is Kevin Jirak who has worked at KDOT for more than 31 years in Marion.  Jirak began his career as an Equipment Operator I and over the past three decades he has been promoted several times starting with Equipment Operator II, followed by the Area Crew Supervisor in 1993. Twenty four years later, Jirak now serves as Area Superintendent.  Among his many duties, Jirak oversees four Subarea crews and one Area crew.

“I have a group of good supervisors and employees that do a great job,” Jirak said. “My Area Engineer has been very helpful to me since becoming the Area Superintendent. This makes my job easier. I also take care of permits, visit and listen with the public about their concerns and keep an eye on maintenance issues.”

When Jirak is not at work he enjoys a variety of activities that include coaching kids in sports.  He also is an avid Jayhawks and Chiefs fan. Jirak spends time in the great outdoors as a hunter and fisherman. He enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.

#IAMKDOT is an illustration project that recognizes KDOT employees who work hard to ensure Kansans enjoy safe roads, rails and skies. Safe and successful transportation also helps Kansans financially. Some employees of KDOT fill dangerous but necessary positions and this project also serves as a reminder for travelers to slow down and remember that underneath those neon vests, are individuals with families and hobbies waiting for them at home.

Do you know a KDOT worker that deserves recognition? Nominations are open! Email Mallory.Goeke@KS.gov today to get started! 

Trash duty leads to priceless treasure

Sometimes KDOT workers happen upon items that can brighten someone's day. 

As reported last week, crews across the state clean up messes along Kansas' highways. A news story recently published by KMBC News explains how KDOT employee Rodney Wright found an item that holds personal value. 

Find the story below and a link to the video after.

GARDNER, Kan. —

A Gardner woman believes a little divine intervention can explain how her lost Bible was returned to her after it was found off a highway.

"This is a beautiful mess," said Rhonda Thompson. "It’s amazing."

Thompson's Bible held a special place in her heart because it belonged to her husband, Mike. It served as the guestbook at his funeral.

Thompson carries the good book to church every weekend, putting it in the seat right next to her in the van until two weeks ago.

"I just set the drink and the Bible up there (on top of the van)," Thompson said. "I went around and drove off.”

Two days later, trash duty brought Kansas Department of Transportation worker Rodney Wright to the side of Highway 56.

"I noticed right away that it was a Bible," Wright said.

But what Wright didn't know at the time was that the Bible had a personal connection for him.

"I didn't put two and two together that it was my old friend Mike's Bible," Wright said.

One of those days at work dealing with trash became treasure for one of Mike's dearest friends.

“He was … he was there for me in a time of my life when I really needed somebody to hold onto," Wright said.

"Sometimes things that just do not make sense -– it doesn’t make any physics sense that a car hit it and it didn’t just blow all over the place. We’re right by the highway," Thompson said.

“But God is definitely the one that put me there to find it," Wright said.

It’s a story of amazing grace.

"Explain this stuff to me then, because this feels like Jesus Christ to me," Rhonda Thompson said. “No matter what, God just kept bringing it back together."
Check out the video here

I-70 guard fence updates among list of approved February lettings

Guard fence along I-70 in Sherman County. 

Updating guard fence at 10 different locations along I-70 in Sherman County is one of the projects that was approved in KDOT’s February letting.

This work will take place roughly between milepost 12 and milepost 17. Projects have been completed east and west of this section in the last 20 years and guard fence was upgraded as a result. This project will improve guard fence on the remaining five-mile section.

The upgrade will involve constructing a concrete barrier wall to protect a bridge pier at one location as well as guard fence and grading at the other locations. Smoky Hill LLC of Salina is the contractor on the $554,000 project.

To see all of the 14 projects approved in February and four projects that were recently approved from the January letting, click here

Litter bugs beware! KDOT crews exterminate trash along highways

It’s amazing what some people will throw away, especially out of vehicle windows while driving more than 65 miles an hour along Kansas highways.

KDOT crews across the state actually take the time to clean up the messes that litter bugs leave behind. KDOT addresses these messy situations to improve safety for the traveling public.

On average KDOT crews can pick up 2-4 tons worth of trash each week. An article posted on KDOT’s Northeast Kansas Facebook page explains that in the KC Metro area, crews pick up litter by hand as time allows.

“Many of these tasks, especially litter pick up, are never ending,” the article said. “Effort may be made one day to pick up litter and the next day it may look as if it was never addressed. KDOT does not take our responsibilities lightly in providing a safe and efficient transportation system.”

KDOT crews also still have to ensure that hazardous spills are cleaned up and it can require several agencies.

Wayne Nelson, Superintendent at the Pittsburg Area Office, said that last year a hospital waste disposal truck’s door fell open and about 20 big bags of medical waste were scattered along a five-mile area. KDOT, KDHE, Emergency Management, The Kansas Highway Patrol, the local sheriff and other agencies were all on the scene to clean up the mess.

“As Area Superintendent of Area Four, I refused to allow any agency on the list to leave the trash on our right of way for even one night,” Nelson said.  “There was a trailer court and residences all around the area, any dog could have taken the trash to a yard where kids were playing.”

Nelson said that on any given day, staff may find some dangerous items left along the state right-of-way.

“Drug dealers leave their hazardous waste for KDOT people to address, because if (these items) are found in a dumpster they may identify who is doing the dumping. Dangerous items requiring removal from state right of way may include needles, chemicals, fire hazards, and explosives."

Some areas in the state report that more drug paraphernalia is dumped on the side of the road after a drug lane check.

Hazardous waste aside, some KDOT crews find the strangest things along roadways. Unusual finds include money, laptops, cell phones, truck tires, guns, IDs, tools, knives and even entire motorcycles abandoned by their owners.

While KDOT crews do their best to clean up the litter, they cannot do it alone. Some areas in the state need your help to exterminate litter. KDOT’s ADOPT-A-Highway program is a great way to do your part to keep Kansas beautiful and take an active role in keeping your state clean!

Find more information about how you can get involved here!

And remember, litter belongs in a trashcan or recycle bin, not along roadsides.