TOPEKA — Kansas Department of Transportation is running tests of pavement strength this week in Rush County, and will begin a paving project in Pawnee County later this week.
Pavement testing began Monday and will continue through Thursday on all of U.S. 183 and K-4 in Rush County.
The testing crew uses a falling weight deflectometer (FWD), a device equipped with a series of weights that checks the strength of asphalt pavement. KDOT conducts FWD tests every year on different sections of the state highway system.
A pilot car operation will be used for traffic control at each testing site. Motorists will experience delays of 15 minutes or less.
Starting around Thursday, Aug. 9, KDOT will begin an asphalt paving project on U.S. 56 in Pawnee County. This project starts at the east city limits of Larned and continues northeast to the east city limits of Pawnee Rock. This highway construction project is scheduled to be completed by October, 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. There will be a 13 foot width restriction in the work zone, so vehicles with widths wider than 13 feet will need to use an alternate route. The work zone area will move daily and work will be under way during daylight hours only. 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.
Venture Corporation from Great Bend is the prime contractor for this $1,059,000 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.
KDOT South Central Kansas Public Affairs Manager Martin Miller reminds all drivers to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. Persons with questions about the road work or other KDOT projects can call Miller, 620-663-3361 or 1-877-550-5368 (toll free).