A 19-mile asphalt mill and overlay surfacing project on U.S. 56 in Barton and Rice counties will begin this week. The project is located from the two lane-four lane transition east of the City of Ellinwood east to the west city limits of Lyons.

Construction will take place during the day, and traffic will be reduced to one 12-foot lane following a pilot car through the work zone. Drivers should expect delays of less than 15 minutes and plan extra time in their travel schedules.

The project is scheduled to be completed, weather permitting, in October. APAC Kansas Inc. Shears Division, of Hutchinson, is the prime contractor on the $2.4 million project, which is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature. 

Highway construction project locations and road condition information can be viewed at the 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, Zach Oswald, at 620-663-3361 or call 5-1-1 from any phone in Kansas or 1-866-511-5368 if unable to access 5-1-1.