KCMO water issues

An update: The two water pipe leaks on Southwest Trafficway were fixed some time ago, yes, so great. But the one at about 35th Street and that same Southwest Trafficway is still leaking and there's another at 37th,too. In the meantime, there is a rather large leak--meaning lots and lots of water running down the street--on Main Street just before 43rd as you're headed South. With the far under freezing temperatures forecast for us this Thursday, I predict we'll see at least one, if not some accidents there unless it's fixed before then, which is likely doubtful. Stay tuned. Good luck to us.

Updates on KCMO water pipe breaks

The two--count 'em, two--breaks on Southwest Trafficway are STILL leaking and seeping on and into the street just South of 31st Street, for starters. Then, the break at 48th and Belleview, just off the Plaza, are still going strong. I also believe there is a biggie leaking just to the side of the Raphael Hotel, at 48th and Ward Parkway. I thought I'd give a "heads up" to Mayor James and the Water Department, in case they have any idea of getting over there to get them fixed. That's just a few I'm aware of at present.

Water busting out all over

I was on the East side of the city at the end of last week and noticed water pouring out of the street at 31st Street and Van Brunt Boulevard. At the time, I thought maybe I should call the water department and be sure they were aware of it, there was that much coming out, but I didn't. So then, yesterday, Sunday, I was there again and same thing--it was still flowing and very freely. So much so that it was pooling in the street, further down. So call I did. The result? I asked if they department was aware of it and the man on the other end said, yes, they were, he seemed to say, very aware of it. Oh, well, eh? This, along with the two breaks that are still on Southwest Trafficway (at least they're not pouring out at this fast a rate) and nothing seeming to be done. So it goes, eh, Mr. Mayor? And water department? I know they must have their hands full but aren't we wasting an awful lot of water? And doesn't that cost us?

Broken KC water pipes, ad inifinitum

It seems there are two things this mayor and City Hall needs to get a handle on right now. The first is the annual shoot-fest in the city with the other being the water pipes that burst all across the city, underground. Driving this morning, I saw one on 31st Street, coming up the hill (East), between Southwest Boulevard and Southwest Trafficway and then another, one block South of 31st Street, right on Southwest Trafficway. Crazy.

169 North Shutdown at Municipal Airport---once more, with feeling

From The Star online today:

Authorities are getting ready to close the southbound lanes U.S. 169 after the water pipe that burst last week started leaking again today.

The closure will be from Missouri 9 south across the Missouri River. Authorities were not sure how long it would take to get the road reopened.

Drivers should consider Highway 9 across the Heart of America Bridge or the new Christopher S. Bond Bridge as alternatives.


Another day in paradise.

Enjoy your weekend---and be safe out there, folks!

Link:  http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/18/2529209/us-169-closing-again.html

Pylons at entrance to city finally repaired

I've complained about these pylons on the Broadway extension for some time.  You know the ones?  They're just after or before the Briarcliff exit, depending if you're headed South or North, respectively, on this 169 highway.

After having them inoperable for at least 2 years--during which time I wrote in to the Kansas City Star's ombudsman about them--and also phoned in to the city's 311 phone line about a month ago--I see they are finally, finally fixed.

It made no sense that we--the city of Kansas City, Missouri--built these things as a way of welcoming people into the city and then to have them sit there, broken, not working.  They were virtually brand new, for pity's sake.  What sense did that make?

The ones at the foot of the Broadway bridge seemed to work fine and nicely.  Why shouldn't this 2nd set work?

So I'm pleased to see they're up again, as they should be.  They really are a nice welcome to the city--very pleasing to the eye and fun.

And I see the water main leak on this same stretch is fixed, apparently, so it's open again at the old municipal airport, thank goodness.

We really should be "The City That Works."

That would be nice.  (Get that Mayor?)

The Brush Creek Islands

I wrote of this some weeks ago, that there has developed, in Brush Creek, just East of the Plaza, a rather large and impromptu "island"--seriously, an island--in the middle of the creek and that it seems that the city will have to come up with a solution for this one of these days. I think they're going to have to eventually somehow scoop or dredge it out. It's growing rather healthily and quickly, it seems. In addition--and why I write today--is to say there are also, now, little and not-so-little peninsulas also extending out from the creek banks on both the North and South sides of the same creek. Finally, also, and additionally more surprising, is the fact that this last week, I noticed yet another "island" forming, and, again, rather surprisingly quickly, further East of the original island, just short of the large waterfall or drop-off in the creek. It seems Brush Creek is becoming very stagnant East of the Plaza, for whatever reason. I wonder if the city is paying any attention to this. I wonder if the Water Department has noticed. And if they've noticed, do they care? Does it matter? It seems it will, if even just eventually.