Preliminary Engineering Study Helps Raytown Leverage Funding

The City of Raytown, Missouri routinely evaluates the condition of their pavement. In a recent assessment, they identified poor pavement conditions in the Green Valley neighborhood. Additionally, a concrete lined drainage channel running through the neighborhood was failing. They wanted to gain a better understanding of the condition of the neighborhood’s infrastructure and the associated costs of improving it.

Affinis Corp was selected for the Green Valley Neighborhood Improvement Preliminary Engineering Study. The City of Raytown provided our team with information from their database, which is used to track the state of their infrastructure. Before we provided a recommendation, we sought to validate those findings and gather more information.

One of our first tasks was completing a walk-through of the site. While there, we looked at the utilities that could be impacted and any driveways with drainage issues. Our survey team also captured 360° videos of the structures and used GPS to locate manholes. The existing right-of-way and easements were identified as well.

As part of the preliminary engineering study, we evaluated the sanitary and storm sewer networks using CCTV video to determine which pipes could be lined and which would require reconstruction. While filming the conditions, the subcontractor and the city also cleaned the pipes.

Our team used USGS mapping and other sources to determine drainage areas to assist with identifying necessary capacity improvements to the storm sewer system.

Although we had the 2018 and 2023 pavement condition index for the streets, we needed to know the thickness of pavement, condition of the subgrade, and options for rehabilitation. Partnering with Kaw Valley Engineering, we took pavement cores to determine this information. Evaluating the pavement data led to the determination that the area’s streets had deteriorated beyond a maintenance approach and needed full reconstruction.

In our report, we delivered three alternatives for the City’s review. The first addressed the neighborhood’s infrastructure needs in their entirety. The second provided lower cost alternatives, while still meeting the project objectives. The final option was the most budget conscious and focused on the city’s top priorities.

For each option, we provided costs and schematic plans. Having this information helps the City of Raytown to best leverage taxpayers’ dollars. The completed report provides future direction for bond referendums, as the costs have been clearly outlined.