KDOT
The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to close a portion of K-383 in Norton County for reconstruction starting on Monday, March 13.
The closure will begin at the east U.S. 36 junction and extend approximately 6 miles northeast to the Prairie Dog Creek bridge near Almena. Traffic should follow the signed detour route on U.S. 36 and U.S. 183.
Project activities will consist of widening the highway on existing alignment into a 24-foot mainline surface with 6-foot paved shoulders. Crews will also decrease side slopes and level hills and valleys, which will help improve visibility and increase passing opportunities. Several drainage structures along the route will be replaced as well.
KDOT expects to reopen the highway by the end of 2023, conditions permitting. Venture Corporation of Great Bend is the primary contractor with total contract cost of approximately $15.3 million.
This project is the second phase of reconstruction on 26 miles of K-383 in Norton and Phillips counties. Phase I consisted of approximately 6 miles from east of Long Island to the U.S. 183 junction. Phase III is the remaining 14 miles from Almena to east of Long Island. KDOT is currently finalizing the design plan for phase III and anticipates letting the project for construction in spring 2025.