The intersection of 12th Avenue and Prairie could be reopened by late this week, if not sooner, according to City Engineer Jim Ubert.
Monday afternoon, Ubert told KVOE News that work in the intersection, as part of the 24th and Prairie waterline replacement project, was nearing an end with crews pouring the last of concrete into the intersection Monday. He says it is very likely the intersection could re-open by Thursday, but there is also a chance it could open up as soon as Wednesday.
Nonetheless, Ubert says that as soon as 12th and Prairie reopen, 18th and Prairie will close at least partially, if not fully, for the final leg of the project.
Ubert says the work on 18th should take 2-4 weeks to complete, thus concluding the project which began in June of 2024.
With work nearly complete on the 24th and the Prairie project, city crews are getting set to begin the Southeast Transmission waterline project. This project is set to stretch from 12th and Garfield to the Emporia water tower near South and Carter and, like the 24th and Prairie project, improve water service reliability and safety across the community. While the project is not in full swing just yet, Ubert says contractors have been doing some “under the radar” work in recent weeks.
Ubert says an exact starting point for the project has not been set, however, he expects an answer to that question “pretty soon.”
