K-150 construction ahead of schedule years ago
Due to mild, dry weather, construction continues unabated on K-150 and U.S.-56/77.
Bryce Goebel of Kansas Department of Transportation area office at Marion said all 17 miles of K-150 are being reconstructed. He said more than half of the old surface has been removed.
Some of the milling material is used for fill and some is taken off site by the contractor to be disposed of as he sees fit. Goebel said Marion County has received some of the millings.
Dirt and rock work continue. Liming and preparing the base for a concrete surface is expected to begin in the next two months. Contract deadline for completion of the project is August 2003.
William Matos, project manager of the realignment of U.S.-56/77 north of Lincolnville, said construction activities have continued without a break because of the mild, dry weather, allowing for unusually steady progress.
At present, two shoo-fly detours have been activated, one at the north edge of Lincolnville and one at the north end of the project near the county line. Two box bridges (culverts) are being replaced. Dismantling of the old bridge structures is occurring this week.
Weather permitting, liming soon will begin. The process involves blending lime and dirt on the roadway to form a hard surface. Matos said the right temperature and moisture conditions are needed to do the work. He estimated that concrete work could begin at the end of March or first part of April.
