U.S. Highway 50 will be closed and drivers detoured from Newton to Elmdale for one week starting at 8 a.m. Monday.
If it does not rain.
The Kansas Department of Transportation and the contractor will evaluate today if the forecast will be dry enough to move forward with the reconstruction of the U.S. 50 and U.S. Highway 77 roundabout at Florence, said David Greiser, KDOT public affairs manager for the North Central District.
The department’s goal is to finish the construction within a week, minimizing the time traffic has to be detoured around the intersection.
If the forecast is for rain most of the week, the project likely will be delayed, he said.
Crews will work 24 hours, seven days a week until 5 p.m. May 10 when they hope to have the project completed.
Because of the nature of the work, flagmen could not be used, and the entire intersection must be closed down during construction, Greiser said.
Through eastbound traffic on U.S. 50 will be rerouted from the Interstate 135 interchange at Newton.
Drivers will take Kansas Highway 15 north to Kansas Highway 56 and then U.S. 56 west to Elmdale, where they will rejoin U.S. 50.
Westbound traffic will take the reverse route.
U.S. 50 will remain open to local traffic, so drivers will be able to access U.S. 50 from local roads to destinations, such as Walton.
Local westbound traffic will be able to access the I-135 interchange at Newton; however, the interchange will be closed to eastbound traffic.
Greiser said KDOT primarily is interested in diverting the heavy truck traffic out of the area during construction.
Replacing the roadway tying U.S. 77 to the roundabout is scheduled to occur immediately following the reopening of U.S. 50.
Work on U.S. 77 will be completed while moving traffic through the work zone via temporary traffic lights.
The U.S. 77 portion of the project is scheduled for completion by the end of May.
