An initial study of the need for replacing the Topeka Boulevard Bridge was approved by the Topeka City Council on Tuesday night. A new Topeka Boulevard Bridge may cost the city four times as much as the state is paying for the new Westgate Bridge. R-Kan., announced Wednesday. After approving temporary repairs to the Topeka Boulevard Bridge on Tuesday night, the Topeka City Council decided not to rush an expensive replacement.
Engineers say the alternative to replacing the bridge is to remove it in about two years.
The city knew what it was getting when it took responsibility for care and maintenance of the Topeka Boulevard Bridge in 1998, state highway officials say. The need to repair or replace the Topeka Boulevard Bridge will be among the topics for the Topeka City Council again this week. But unless there are plans to revive Pappan's Ferry to shuttle traffic back and forth across the Kansas River, as Mayor Felker wryly suggested this week, the Topeka Boulevard bridge simply has to be replaced. Adding to the problems of driving over the Kansas River, traffic has been restricted and trucks have been banned from the Topeka Boulevard Bridge while it is inspected for deterioration. All rights reserved.