One of the two Kansas Highway 99 bridges in Lyon County getting replaced as part of the Kansas Turnpike Authority’s latest improvement project is now closed.
The Turnpike Authority says the bridge just northeast of the Turnpike’s Emporia service exit — just south of mile marker 133 — is closed to traffic and will be closed possibly through much of November. The other bridge near mile marker 140 will close next month.
With both bridges, the goal is to increase the clearance height and improve guardrails, bridge piers and slopes.
For drivers, this means a lengthy detour. The official detour sends drivers to Interstate 35 west to the Turnpike and then northeast 20 miles to the Admire-Council Grove exit before going west another four miles to reconnect with K-99 just north of Admire. Earlier this week, Lyon County Engineer Chip Woods said he expects drivers will use paved county roads like Americus Road, Allen Road and Burlingame Road. Employees are wrapping up a crack seal project on Allen Road and will begin a similar project on Burlingame Road later this year.
