Two road construction projects are scheduled to begin next week in Barton County, County Engineer Barry McManaman said.

On Monday, Venture Corporation of Great Bend will begin overlaying several miles of county blacktop roads north of Great Bend. The $495,000 project consists of a 1.5 inch hot mix overlay along with rock shoulder wedges. The three sections of roadway to be overlayed are as follows: Washington Street from the north city limits of Great Bend to NE 30 Road; McKinley Street (NW 10 Avenue) from the north city limits to NW 30 Road; and NW/NE 30 Road from NW 10 Avenue to US-281.

The work is anticipated to be completed within two weeks, weather permitting. Traffic will be allowed through construction with the use of flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours.

Then, on or around Wednesday, Reece Construction Company of Scandia will begin work to widen two concrete drainage culverts approximately three miles north of Redwing. Each culvert will be widened six to eight feet to improve the roadway width and provide safer shoulder slopes.  

Traffic will be allowed through construction but motorists are asked to slow down for the safety of the workers. The work should take five to six weeks to complete.  

The culvert extensions are part of a $130,000 contract that also includes the replacement of a native stone bridge three miles north of Beaver. Construction of the new concrete box culvert at that location is anticipated to begin close to Thanksgiving and last for about two months.  

The blacktop in the area two to three miles north of Beaver will be closed for the duration of the work, McManaman said. An updated schedule will be announced before work begins north of Beaver.