As the city of Emporia gears up for two major infrastructure projects and the next big step in another, work is taking place to enhance a pair of the city’s industrial parks.
Work is well underway for waterline improvements at Industrial Park III in southeast Emporia. This project specifically involves an extension along East South Avenue from Norfolk Iron & Metal’s east property line east to Road M-5, as well as a separate but related extension along M-5 from East South to East Logan and an extension of the current waterline from the Penny Lane cul-de-sac to M-5. About 35 percent of the waterline has been installed. This will involve over a mile of 12-inch water main when the project is dOne by the end of August.
Meanwhile, paving and drainage improvements are underway for Industrial Park IV just west of Emporia. Roughly 90 percent of the storm sewer has been built with some rough grading, so the overall project is about 20 percent done. The city says this will continue until late fall.
This work comes as the city is nearing the June 3 start date for the 24th and Prairie waterline improvement project, involving new waterline from the Water Treatment Plant at 24th and Industrial east on 24th to Prairie and then south to 12th. Work could go through most of 2025.
Also, Street Rehab is set to begin by early next month. Over 20 various street segments will get a 2-inch asphalt overlay as well as concrete and handicapped-accessible ramp repairs.
The Interstate 35 bridge replacement project at Lincoln Street should see the bridge itself closed to Lincoln Street traffic just north of 24th within the next few days. Once closed, the bridge will remain shut down to traffic until at least August 2025 but the 24th and Lincoln intersection will remain open.
