Beginning Monday, March 20, consultants working for the Wichita Water and Sewer Department will inspect 26 tunnels leading to a sanitary sewer under Interstate Highway 135 between Pawnee and Douglas. The inspection will necessitate closing one northbound lane of the highway each night, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Lane closures will begin near Pawnee and move north as crews complete each tunnel inspection. The project is expected to last through April 7.
The project is part of the City of Wichita’s program of inspecting sanitary sewers on a periodic basis. The 54” sewer under Interstate 135 and the connecting tunnels were constructed in 1973; they have a life expectancy of at least 50 years.
A 2003 inspection of the sewer revealed no significant deterioration. The tunnels have never been comprehensively inspected. This inspection is designed to identify deterioration and determine if the City can take steps to extend the life of the tunnels.