U.S. Highway 50 will be rerouted from Newton to Elmdale starting May 4 to allow for reconstruction of pavement leading up to the roundabout at Florence at the intersection of U.S. 50 and U.S. Highway 77.
Kansas Department of Transportation officials have set the work to begin on 8 a.m. May 4, and 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 during construction, said David Greiser, KDOT public affairs manager for the North Central District.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.“We realize this is a heavily used route,” Greiser said. “This is an effort to minimize the inconvenience for those who live around the route and diminish traffic through the area. We are going to work 24-7 to get this done as quickly as possible.”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.NEWTON —
