Almost as soon as it started, the Kansas Highway 99 widening project in south Emporia has stopped — for now.
Kansas Department of Transportation engineer Dustin Hardin tells KVOE News the project is currently suspended as a way to give Evergy time to move utility poles near the intersection with Soden Road or right outside the northwest corner of David Traylor Zoo. Once the poles are all moved, the overall project can resume. Hardin says the current plan has the overall work on pause until July 27.
There has been a flurry of activity over the past few days leading up to the start of the construction process, including the move of traffic control measures, street and drainage survey work and relocation processes, both for Evergy and Kansas Gas. A flagger continues directing traffic through the work zone.
KDOT is overseeing the project to widen K-99 between Kansas Avenue and Soden Road from 2 lanes to 3 as part of a $1.5 million effort. Thanks to a 90-10 cost share, the city of Emporia is paying around $135,000 for its half of the project. Work is tentatively set to continue into or through December.
