TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas transportation authorities report the demolition phase of a major I-70 project in Topeka has wrapped up.
The new Polk-Quincy Viaduct is taking shape in downtown Topeka and is expected to open one lane each way in December this year. It will be much wider than the old bridge, improving traffic flow and making it easier for emergency vehicles to reach people faster.
The Kansas Department of Transportation recently shared that the last pieces of the old viaduct have been demolished. Many of these pieces are set to be recycled for inclusion in future projects.
We spoke to a metro engineer with KDOT about the ongoing project. He said KDOT will be opening up the newly constructed viaduct in the next few months.
“What we are reopening in December or possibly sooner is one lane each direction on what will in the future be the eastbound structure,” said Steve Baalman, metro engineer at K-DOT. “We still have to finish building the westbound bridge, the large viaduct bridge, and that part of the alignment that will be happening from when we reopen traffic in December all the way through next season.”
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KDOT reports that, for now, traffic will remain the same. You can learn more about the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project on KDOT’s website.
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