Starting around Monday, Aug. 10, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will begin an asphalt roadway surface recycle and overlay project on K-96 Highway in Barton County, from the Rush/Barton County line then continuing east 13.63 miles to the west city limits of Great Bend. The purpose of this asphalt roadway surface recycle and overlay project is to extend the life of the asphalt pavement and it is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, depending on delays due to adverse weather conditions.
Traffic through this work zone will be controlled by flagmen and pilot car, so drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. The work area will move daily and work will be underway during daylight hours only. There will be a 12 foot width restriction in the work zone, so vehicles with widths wider than 12 feet will need to use an alternate route.
Venture Corporation from Great Bend is the prime contractor for this $2,486,835.38 project, which is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature in May 2010. For more information about T-WORKS projects and funding visit the website, www.ksdot.org/tworks.  Highway construction project locations and road condition information can be viewed at the http://511.ksdot.org website, or can also be accessed by telephone by dialing 511.
KDOT urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and “Give ‘Em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. Persons with questions about this road work or other KDOT projects can call South Central Kansas Public Affairs Manager, Martin Miller, at 620-663-3361 or 1-877-550-5368 (Toll free).