Application of Geology in Kansas Highway Construction

Abstract

The earthwork and bridge construction aspects of highway construction are the responsibilities of the Engineering Gologist. The total earthwork for last year's program included approximately 27 million cubic yards of common excavation and nearly 3 million cubic yards of rock excavation. Approximately 13.7 million dollars was spent on new bridge construction. Included in this figure are 134 bridges on the Primary Highway System at a cost of approximately 11 million dollats and 92 bridges on the County Secondary System at a cost of 2.7 million dollars. Highways of high standards and quality are demanded by the traveling public and to build highways of high quality in a limited number of working days requires much advanced planning. Before earthwork is began and bridges are erected, the plans of how to properly construct the highway are placed on a few blueprints. It is the purpose of this paper to explain the function of the Engineering Geologist and the application of Geology in highway design and construction as it pertains to the Highway Program within the State of Kansas.