Construction to start on U.S. 183 bypass/I-70 interchange project in Hays

KDOT

Work is scheduled to begin on March 27 on a project to improve the U.S. 183 bypass and I-70 interchange at Exit 157 near Hays.

The Kansas Department of Transportation project includes construction of a new overpass, reconfiguration of the existing interchange ramps, intersection improvements and drainage structure extensions.

The new overpass bridge will be built adjacent to the current bridge and constructed one half at a time. Traffic will continue to use the existing bridge while the first half of the new structure is built. Upon completion of the first half, traffic will be routed on to the new structure while the old bridge is removed and the second half of the new bridge is constructed.

Fairground Road will also be reconstructed on a new alignment, which will move its intersection with the U.S. 183 bypass directly across from Frontier Road. U.S. 183 will be widened to accommodate a left-turn lane on to Fairground Road. Turning lanes will also be added for traffic accessing westbound and eastbound I-70. A stoplight will be placed on the south end of the interchange as well.

Both directions of I-70 carrying traffic under the bridge construction will be reduced to one lane with a decreased speed limit and 16-foot width restriction. Information on additional traffic impacts on I-70 and the U.S. 183 bypass will be provided as the project progresses.

KDOT expects project work to be fully completed in October 2025, conditions permitting.

The project is part of KDOT’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, known as IKE. Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. of Wichita is the primary contractor with a total contract cost of $20.8 million.

For more information, contact KDOT Area Construction Engineer Mitchel Johnson at 785-261-6135 or [email protected].