Weather permitting, on Saturday, May 10, the second phase of a pavement repair project will begin on both eastbound and westbound I-70 from west of the Adams Street/Branner Trafficway interchange to east of the Carnahan Street interchange on the east side of Topeka in Shawnee County. Work will also take place on adjoining ramp interchanges at Adams Street/Branner Trafficway, California Street, and Carnahan Street.

Crews will replace damaged sections of concrete pavement on the roadway surface. Once all pavement repairs are complete, then new permanent paving markings will be applied to this stretch of I-70.

Work will take place seven days a week. Daily closures will take place Tuesday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. the first day to 4:00 p.m. the following day. Weekend closures will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and run continuously until Monday at 4:00 p.m. All westbound I-70 lanes will be opened to traffic Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. during peak travel times. All eastbound I-70 lanes will be opened to traffic Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during peak travel times.

Both eastbound and westbound traffic will encounter various lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Occasional short-term ramp closures will also occur periodically throughout the project along the adjoining interchanges. Drivers should expect minor delays and are advised to use alternate routes, if possible.

Knish Corporation is the primary contractor on this $1,691,065 repair project. The scheduled completion date for the entire project is mid-summer 2008.

The Kansas Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and “Give ‘Em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through the project work zone.

(Above information supplied by the Kansas Department of Transportation)