Sep 01, 2020

KDOT hosts ribbon cutting for Cedar Bluff bridge

Posted Sep 01, 2020 3:46 PM
Officals from KDOT, KDWPT, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Smoky Hills Scenic Byway committee, along with Sen. Rick Billinger and Rep. Don Hineman, cut the ribbon to commemorate the reopening of the Cedar Bluff reservoir bridge on K-147 in Trego County.
Officals from KDOT, KDWPT, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Smoky Hills Scenic Byway committee, along with Sen. Rick Billinger and Rep. Don Hineman, cut the ribbon to commemorate the reopening of the Cedar Bluff reservoir bridge on K-147 in Trego County.

KDOT

Officials from the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism celebrated the reopening of the bridge over the Cedar Bluff reservoir on K-147 in Trego County during a ribbon cutting ceremony today.

Built in conjunction with the construction of the reservoir and dam, the original steel-tied arch bridge was completed in the early 1950s. Although it had been maintained and repaired through the years, public safety concerns about structural deficiencies prompted KDOT to close the bridge in June 2019.

To minimize the closure’s impact on the surrounding area, KDOT was able to quickly develop and finalize plans for the replacement bridge. Construction began in February 2020 and was closely coordinated with the Bureau of Reclamation since the structure is attached to the dam walls. The bridge was reopened on Aug. 17.

“This project is a good example of various stakeholders working together to accomplish a common goal,” said KDOT area engineer Kevin Zimmer. “We know how important this bridge is to visitors traveling into the state park and to the farming community, so we are pleased that we could deliver a finished product ahead of the Labor Day holiday and fall harvest.”

Wildcat Construction of Wichita was the primary contractor for the $2.2 million project.

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