The push is on — in some cases, literally — to bring Quik Trip to west Emporia.
Early site preparation work recently began at the site of the Flint Hills Crossing development between the Flint Hills Technical College main campus and the Kansas Turnpike’s Emporia tollgate. Despite poor construction weather for most of the month, Emporia City Engineer Jim Ubert tells KVOE News things have been active since the city issued its “Notice to Proceed” three-plus weeks ago.
Ubert says the project was delayed from the original timetable for several reasons. One was a change connected to the Kansas Turnpike’s move from traditional to cashless tolling last year, including the removal of the toll plaza at Emporia. This prompted a discussion about a potential signal stoplight before shifting to a brand-new roundabout north of the existing two roundabouts connecting the Turnpike to Interstate 35 and US Highway 50. Also, there were drainage matters to address as part of a wetland permitting study involving the US Army Corps of Engineers and Kansas Department of Transportation.
The project recently had $250,000 in Lyon County funding unencumbered to help offset costs of road construction between the new roundabout and Graphic Arts just southwest of the Flint Hills Technical College main campus.
The Quik Trip coming to Emporia has been listed as one of the chain’s biggest locations in the Central Plains once it is open to the public later this year. It is the only tenant with this development. Ubert has said other businesses interested in setting up shop near Quik Trip will have to present their own developments to the city.
