A $10 million project on a section of highway previously designated as K-14 in Reno and Rice counties is expected to begin Thursday, July 20.

This 17-mile section, of what had been K-14, was replaced last month by a new K-14 alignment.

The Kansas Department of Transportation project includes about a 12-mile section of highway in Reno County, from about 4.5 miles southeast of Nickerson to the Reno/Rice county line. The work will include a mill and hot-mix-asphalt overlay and bridge repair. This part of the contract amounts to about $4.6 million.

The project also includes about a five-mile section of highway in Rice County, from the Reno/Rice county line to 1,370 feet north of Avenue U. The work will include grading and bridge repair and surfacing. This part of the contract amounts to about $5.4 million.

During the initial bridge work in both counties, traffic will be reduced to one lane at the Arkansas River bridge south of Sterling and at the Arkansas River bridge west of Nickerson. Traffic in these areas will be controlled by temporary signals, so motorists should be prepared to stop. 

Motorists also will be directed to drive at a reduced speed – 45 mph _- through the work zone. Motorists will face mostly minimal delays.

The work in both counties will be done in stages, with bridge repair first, followed by pavement work in 2024.

The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024.

APAC Kansas Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, is the primary contractor.

For updated information on other KDOT highway projects and road conditions across the state, go to www.kandrive.org.