Aug. 7, 2013

Bridge projects near three state parks may mean travel delays

PRATT– Summer is a good time to visit your favorite state park – and for road crews to work on roads and bridges. Roadwork is a temporary inconvenience with long-term benefits, but that doesn’t keep travelers from grumbling about the orange cones and barrels that appear when the weather warms. Park visitors can minimize delays by following the signs and detours and planning ahead.

Bridge projects near these three state parks won’t prevent visitors from getting to the parks, but the projects may extend the travel time.

Pomona State Park – The K-268 bridge over the abandoned Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks in Osage County will be replaced with a structure for pedestrian use on the Rails to Trails route. The bridge is just east of the K-368 and K-268 intersection, approximately 4.77 miles east of the U.S. 75 intersection. Work will take place during daylight hours Monday thru Friday with some occasional Saturdays. Eastbound and westbound K-268 will be closed to all through traffic just east of K-368 and K-268. There will be a marked detour route and drivers must use alternate routes until the work is complete. The scheduled completion date is early November 2013, weather permitting.

Cedar Bluff State Park – Thursday, August 8, the Smoky Hill River bridge on K-147 at Cedar Bluff Reservoir will be closed for girder repairs. The bridge is located at the south end of Cedar Bluff Dam. Work will occur during daylight hours, and the closure is expected to last two days, weather permitting. Travelers are encouraged to seek alternate routes during the closure.

Hillsdale State Park – The Ten Mile Creek bridge on 255

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St. between US-169 and Old KC Road is closed for a bridge replacement project. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of December, weather permitting. Detour signs are posted along US-169 as traffic comes from the north or the south. Hillsdale Lake traffic should exit at 223rd St. and follow the detour signs.

The Kansas Department of Transportation urges motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and 'Give 'Em a Brake!" when approaching and driving through project work zones. For road conditions, construction detours and travel weather information on the Kansas Turnpike, and any state, U.S. and Interstate highway (not city or county roads) in Kansas or Nebraska, visit KanDrive.org online or 511mm.ksdot.org on a mobile device. Or, call "511" on any phone from anywhere in Kansas. If dialing 511 doesn't work from your phone, call 1-866-511-KDOT (5368).

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