Mill Valley High School fire ruled accidental

Posted: June 7, 2019 - 1:24 a.m.
Updated: June 7, 2019 - 12:01 p.m.

Shawnee Fire Investigators say the fire at Mill Valley High School, 5900 Monticello Road, late Thursday evening was accidental.

Shawnee firefighters work on the roof of the school to keep the fire
from extending into the building.
All photos ©Mike Frizzell - Operation 100 News

Fire Marshal Corey Sands says firefighters were alerted of the fire by calls to 911 about 9:30 p.m. Those calls were followed closely by a call from an alarm company reporting the building’s fire alarm had activated.

“Our crews arrived to find fire on the outside of the building, where the construction is occurring at the high school,” Sands said. “They got it taken care of pretty quick.”

Sands said the fire had extended to the roofline of the building, which firefighters also caught and extinguished quickly.

Firefighters retrieve equipment off of one apparatus.
Additional photos below report.

Unified School District 232 sent an email to families in the district informing them of the fire. The message says that the fire occurred on the outside of the building in an area where demolition work is underway for the addition of a competitive gymnasium.

“We are grateful that our emergency systems worked as planned, which is why the fire department arrived so quickly,’ the statement said. “There were no school activities taking place at the time of the fire and no fire damage to the interior.”

After hearing that several neighbors were talking about how they could smell smoke earlier in the evening, Fire Marshal Sands said, “we would encourage people if you do smell smoke, call 911.”

Sands said if the smell of smoke had been reported sooner, firefighters would have responded to investigate and worked to locate the source.

Fire investigators say the fire was caused by demolition crews using torches and saws to remove metal structural components.

"The metal and roofing material that was demolished was then placed in a pile up against the exterior wall of the high school," Fire Marshal Sands said. "The roofing material and foam roofing pieces used to insulate the roof actually insulated the fire for several hours when it was placed in a pile after the demolition."

Damage to the building is estimated at $2,500

Shawnee firefighters were assisted on the call by the Lenexa Fire Department and Overland Park Fire Department. Johnson County Med-Act was on scene with two ambulances and their firefighter rehabilitation unit due to the heat and humidity.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters on scene awaiting their next assignment

 

The fire and large response from firefighters attracted a large crowd.

Firefighters work on the roof of the building.

The Lenexa Fire Department's mobile ventilation unit of 'Vent 94' was
brought in to help remove smoke from the building.

Johnson County Med-Act Paramedics established a firefighter rehabilitation area.
All firefighters cycle through this area between rotations. This allows them to hydrate
and have their vitals monitored

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75th Street and Interstate 35 construction project update

Posted: August 22, 2014 - 4:09am

The Kansas Department of Transportation says the ramps on the south side of 75th Street will reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd. The ramps were closed in July for pavement repair work.

Beginning Tuesday, September 2nd through late October the ramps on the north side of 75th Street will be closed for the same work to be completed.

Marked detours will be provided.

Suggested detour routes
Map provided by KDOT
Click to view larger

The detour for traffic on southbound Interstate 35 will exit at 67th Street, east to southbound Antioch Road, back to 75th Street.

The detour for drivers trying to get onto northbound Interstate 35 will continue also use Antioch Road and the 67th Street entrance ramp.

Traffic on 75th Street will be shifted to the south side of the bridge, with one through lane in each direction.

KDOT says drivers should expect major delays during peak commute times.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2015 and is being overseen by the city of Overland Park.

Related reports:

August 22, 2014 - More construction this weekend on 75th Street

July 3, 2014 - 75th Street construction project underway, already causing major delays

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More construction this weekend on 75th Street

Posted: August 22, 2014 - 3:51am

Photo provided by the city of Overland Park

The intersection of 75th Street and Switzer Road will be closed this weekend for storm drainage repair work.
Overland Park project manager Brian Scovill says the closure will start Friday between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.. Work is expected to keep the intersection closed until around 6 a.m. Sunday, weather permitting.

Miles Excavating will be replacing a storm drainage pipe which runs under the intersection.

Scovill says there will be marked detours and businesses in the area will be open throughout the weekend.

Westbound traffic will be detoured at Antioch Road to Shawnee Mission Parkway.

Eastbound traffic will be detoured at Nieman Road to Shawnee Mission Parkway.

Related report:

August 22, 2014 - 75th Street and Interstate 35 construction project update
July 3, 2014 - 75th Street construction project underway, already causing major delays

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75th Street construction project underway, already causing major delays

Posted: July 3, 2014 - 1:46pm
Updated: July 10, 2014 - 4:46pm

Work is underway on a construction project that is sure to cause major traffic delays in Johnson County. On Thursday, July 10th the crews narrowed 75th Street to just one lane in each direction, and shifted traffic to the north side of 75th Street. The project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2015.

Traffic camera image from the Overland Park traffic camera system
July 10, all traffic has been shifted to the north side of 75th Street
Click image to view larger

The city of Overland Park is overseeing the project, which spans from Shawnee into Merriam and Overland Park. Work will impact traffic on 75th Street between Switzer Road and E. Frontage Road.

Aerial image of area - Project area in red
Click image to view larger

Shawnee officials say 75th Street will be shifted to the north half of the roadway for pavement replacement and bridge work. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Switzer Road and E. Frontage Road.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says the ramps to and from Interstate 35, south of 75th Street will also be closed. Spokesperson Kimberly Qualls says the northbound Interstate 35 exit ramp to 75th Street and the entrance ramp from 75th Street to southbound Interstate 35 will both close at 11 a.m. Thursday. The ramps will remain closed until late August.

Once traffic is shifted to the north half of 75th Street, eastbound traffic will not be able to access northbound 75th Street.

Qualls says there will be a marked detour, utilizing 67th Street and Antioch Road.

Northbound I-35 traffic will detour via 67th Street exit and take eastbound 67th Street to Antioch Road, then southbound Antioch Road to eastbound 75th Street back to I-35. (See KDOT provided map below)

Traffic for the ramp from 75th Street to southbound I-35 will be detoured eastbound on 75th Street to Antioch Road, then northbound on Antioch Road to westbound 67th Street and back to southbound I-35.

Map provided by KDOT - Detour route marked in yellow
Click image to view larger

In late August, 75th Street traffic will be shifted to the south half of 75th Street and the ramps north of 75th Street will be closed.

The intersection of 75th Street and Switzer Road will also be closed for one weekend for storm drainage work. A date for this closure has not been announced.

Overland Park officials say access to all businesses and properties along the route will be open throughout the construction process according to a news release from the city of Shawnee.

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PHOTOS | Construction crew hits gas line, sparks fire

Posted: September 20, 2013 - 8:32pm
Updated: September 21, 2013 - 7:18am

Photo Courtesy: Overland Park Fire Department
Click image to view larger

Overland Park firefighters responded on a struck natural gas line Friday evening.

Atmos Energy was digging near the intersection of 151st Street and Switzer Road before 8 p.m. Friday, when a backhoe struck a four-inch natural gas line.

The strike broke the gas line and the escaping gas ignited. Atmos crews immediately notified the Overland Park Fire Department of the break and fire.

Overland Park Fire officials say firefighters cleared the area and stood by, while Atmos crews stopped the flow of gas through the line.

The fire was extinguished around 10 p.m., the intersection remained closed at that time so that KCP&L crews could inspect possible damage to nearby poles and equipment.

One home was evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported.

As of 7:15 a.m., Saturday, the intersection remained closed for KCP&L crews to repair damage. KCP&L says no one is without power due to the repairs.

Photo from Overland Park Traffic Camera at 151st & Switzer
Click image to view larger

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Water main break in Johnson County

Posted: February 15, 2013 - 2:40am
Updated: February 15, 2013 - 4:35am

An eight inch water main break has forced lane restrictions on a stretch of Antioch Road in Overland Park.

One lane in each direction in area marked in red
Click image to view larger

Overland Park Police were called to the area of W. 102nd Street and Antioch Road shortly before 2 a.m. Friday to check on a report from a passing motorist of a possible water main break. The arriving officer reported that there was water coming from under the pavement and that it had caused a section of the roadway to become impassable. Officers immediately closed Antioch Road to all traffic between 101st Street and 103rd Street.

As of 4:30 a.m., the roadway has since partially reopened. There is currently only one lane of traffic in each direction getting through the stretch

Crews from Johnson County WaterOne were called and are working to repair the water main and the roadway surface.

The work is expected to last until around 10 a.m.. Drivers in the area should expect delays and congested traffic.

Stay with Operation 100 News on this blog and on Twitter for the latest details as they become available. Remember where you heard this news first, Operation 100 News, reporting the news to the public as it breaks.

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Driver identified in fatal Interstate 435 accident

Posted: May 11, 2012 - 2:32am
Updated: May 11, 2012 - 11:43am

Update: The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the deceased driver as, 22-year-old, Clayton S. McCully of Bonner Springs, Kansas. Troopers say McCully was traveling southbound on Interstate 435 at milepost 8.8, or .2 miles south of Woodend Avenue in Edwardsville, when his vehicle collided with a stationary construction vehicle.

According to Troopers, the stationary construction vehicle, a 2006 Chevrolet C5500 Truck, was parked inside a construction zone transition area. The area was marked with orange cones, yellow lights, and an arrow board indicating for traffic to move over to the right. For an unknown reason, McCully's 2002 Ford Ranger, continued into the construction area where it crashed into the rear of the parked truck.

Troopers say McCully was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Original Post:

The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after an early morning fatality accident on Interstate 435 in Wyandotte County.

Troopers say the accident occurred around 2 a.m. when a southbound 2002 Ford Ranger crashed into the back of a parked construction signal truck at the beginning of a construction site.

Dispatchers say the accident was reported just before 2:15 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Interstate 435 near Woodend Road. The accident was reported by the construction crew. No one was in the signal truck when the accident occurred. There are not believed to be any witnesses to the crash.

Edwardsville Fire and Police responded to the scene and reported a small pickup truck had crashed into a construction truck. Command reported that the single occupant of the pickup truck was deceased and would require extended extrication.

The Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department also sent units to the scene who assisted with the accident, including a Haz-Mat unit for a fuel spill. The impact of the pickup truck into the construction truck is said to have punctured the construction truck's fuel tank.

The deceased driver has only been identified as a white male in his mid-twenties.

Troopers say the highway was never closed southbound. Traffic was restricted to only one lane for nearly four hours. All lanes reopened to traffic just after 5:45 a.m..

No other information was immediately available.

Stay with Operation 100 News on this blog and on Twitter for the latest details as they become available. Remember where you head this news first, Operation 100 News, reporting the news to the public as it breaks.

Attention News Media LINK

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Major Construction to begin on Quivira Road

Posted: April 23, 2012 - 2:07am
Updated: May 5, 2012 - 3:03am


Update: WaterOne's Construction project between 75th and 85th Streets was completed ahead of schedule.


A major construction project is slated to begin April 23rd on southbound Quivira Road.

Click map to view larger

Beginning at 7 a.m., Monday, April 23rd southbound lanes of Quivira Road from 99th Street to 105th Street will be reduced to one lane. The City of Overland Park says this lane closure will last until Saturday, May 12. This construction will also disrupt several other streets. 99th Street, 99th Terrace, 100th Street, 100th Terrace, 101st Street and 105th Street all west of Quivira Road will be closed for approximately 100 feet. These closures will remain in place until Saturday, May 4th.


Later in the week, beginning Wednesday, April 25th, WaterOne will close all lanes of southbound Quivira Road from 75th Street to 85th Street. WaterOne says this project will allow crews to replace several valves on the 30-inch transmission line which lies under Quivira Road. The southbound lanes will remain closed for approximately three weeks according to the City of Lenexa, and northbound lanes will not be affected.


Detours will be marked and will include suggested detours of Pflumm Road and Nieman Road/Marshal Drive. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and choose an alternate route throughout both projects.


For more information about the work on Quivira Road between 99th Street and 105th Street, contact Alan Daniels with the City of Overland Park at 913-233-9432. For information on the 75th Street to 85th Street project, contact Kirk Culbertson with WaterOne at 913-895-5768 or Monty Zimmerman, City of Lenexa right-of-way manager, at 913-915-9600.


All information provided by Johnson County WaterOne, the City of Overland Park and the City of Lenexa.

Attention News Media LINK

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More information

JoCo Traffic Alert - I-35 & I-435 interchange

Posted: December 28, 2011 - 5:57am

The Kansas Department of Transportation is warning motorists of an upcoming ramp closure that will affect the ramp from southbound Interstate 35 to eastbound Interstate 435 in Lenexa.

Diamond grinding work will force KDOT to close the ramp on Thursday, December 29th between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m..

Advance message boards will alert drivers to the ramp closure and no marked detour will be provided. Drivers should expect delays and use alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion.

All project work is scheduled to be completed on Thursday, December 29th, weather permitting.

Information provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Attention News Media LINK

Interstate 35 traffic alert for Sunday, November 13th

Posted: November 10, 2011 - 11:29am

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced this morning that on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at approximately 5:00 a.m., northbound and southbound Interstate 35 at College Boulevard will be subject to a short, 10-minute traffic disruption. The traffic disruption, will allow utility crews to pull overhead cable across the interstate.

Traffic will be directed by Law Enforcement using rolling roadblocks. The rolling roadblock for southbound traffic will begin at Interstate 435, and for northbound traffic at 119th Street. Law Enforcement will slow all traffic for approximately 10-minutes beginning at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday.

The rolling roadblock will be forced to come to a stop if the utility crews have not completed their work when the rolling roadblock approaches. Once the utility crews have completed their work all traffic will be reopened as normal. All work will be completed Sunday morning, November 13th, weather permitting.

KDOT advises that drivers should expect some delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible. 

All information provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Attention News Media LINK

More construction coming to K-10

Posted: October 25, 2011 - 4:15am

Updated: October 31, 2011 - 6:00am

The Kansas Department of Transportation has announced that on Monday, October 31st, a contractor will begin work on an emergency bridge repair project along K-10. Locations effected by the repair work include the westbound K-10 bridges over Lexington Avenue, Kill Creek and Mill Creek, in Johnson County. The work  will occur during daylight hours, Monday through Friday.

The project will begin at 7 a.m. on Monday, October 31st and westbound K-10 will be reduced to one lane, 24/7, round the clock, from Ridgeview Road to Woodland Avenue (approximately one mile), in Lenexa and from the Kill Creek bridge to Lexington Avenue (approximately one and a half miles) in De Soto. Concrete barriers will be in place and a 55 mph speed limit posted throughout the project work zone. A 12-foot lane width restriction will also be in place, as well as no shoulder availability over bridges throughout the length of the project.

Advance signage will be in place to alert drivers to the lane closures. Drivers through the area should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes as possible.

PCI Roads will be the primary contractor for the $91,094 bridge repair project. The project is scheduled to be fully compelted by mid-November 2011, weather permitting. This project is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature in May 2010. More information on this and other T-WORKS projects can be found at http://kdotapp.ksdot.org/TWORKS. 

KDOT reminds all motorists to be alert, obey warning signs and "Give 'Em a Brak!" when approaching and driving through project work zones.

All information provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Attention News Media LINK

Johnson Drive closure

Posted: October 21, 2011 - 3:40pm

Updated: October 28, 2011 - 6:24pm

UPDATE: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has announced that this closure will remain in place until Saturday  November 5th. Construction was initially scheduled to be completed by October 29th. No reason was given for the extension.

Starting Saturday, October 22, 2011, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) has closed a stretch of Johnson Drive in Merriam. The closure extends from between Slater Street and Kessler Lane, about 0.27 miles. This closure will also force Interstate 35 traffic to seek an alternate route as all of the ramps between Interstate 35 and Johnson Drive are also closed.

Click map to view larger
Routes marked in red will be closed

Traffic controls and marked detours will be posted on all sides of the closure notifying motorists and providing alternate routes.

The closure is in place to allow the BNSF to complete a reconstruction of the mainline railroad crossing at Johnson Drive and is expected to remain in place through Saturday, October 29, 2011. The length of the closure could be shorter or longer depending on weather and construction conditions.

Anyone with questions or concerns regarding the project is directed to the following

• Merriam's City Engineer - (913) 322-5522
• Merriam Public Works Department - (913) 322-5570
• BNSF Roadmaster - (913) 807-0071

All information provided by the City of Merriam, Kansas and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

Attention News Media LINK

Street closures coming to Lawrence

Posted: October 17, 2011 - 3:23am
Updated: October 17, 2011 - 6:30am

The City of Lawrence has announced that beginning Monday, October 17th, the roundabout at Harvard and Monterey Way will be closing until Friday, October 21st or as weather permits.

The closure is due to a leak in an 8-inch water main valve. A news release from the city says that the conditions surrounding the valve are more complex due to the depth of rock and pavers in the intersection. The repairs need to occur immediately to avoid hazardous road conditions that may result from colder weather predicted in the coming weeks. The work will be completed by a contractor.

Southbound traffic will be allowed through the roundabout; northbound traffic on Monterey Way and westbound traffic on Harvard will not be allowed. The city is encouraging motorists to utilize alternate routes to avoid the site and minimize backups. Detours will also be in place.

All information provided by the City of Lawrence.

Attention News Media LINK

Douglas County K-10 Resurfacing Project set to begin

The Kansas Department of Transportation has announced that the previously scheduled and then delayed K-10 resurfacing project will begin on Monday, October 3rd at 9 a.m. This same project was originally slated to begin on September 21st but was delayed indefinately. KDOT cites "scheduling conflicts" as the reason for the delayed start date.

The project  will cover an 8.5-mile stretch of K-10 from the east city limits of Lawrence to the Douglas/Johnson County Line. Crews will work round the clock with the majority of the work completed during the overnight hours, seven days a week. No work will take place during peak travel times on K-10, between 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will also be no work completed on all University of Kansas home football game days.

KDOT says that eastbound and westbound K-10 will be reduced to one lane during work hours on the project. Work will also take place on adjacent interchange ramps, only one set of ramps will close at a time. Traffic will be directed through the work zone using signage. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes as possible. A 55 MPH speed limit will be posted along with a 14-foot lane width restriction throughout the project work zone during working hours.

Project work will include: pavement repair and resurfacing on all mainline lanes, pavement of shoulders (10-foot outside shoulders and 6-foot inside/median shoulders when completed) and installation of edgeline rumble strips on both inside (median) and outside shoulders. KDOT says the project will smooth the road and fill surface defects that can shorten pavement life.

Hamm Construction of Perry, Kansas is the primary contractor on the $4.3 million resurfacing project. The project is scheduled to be completed by early November 2011, weather permitting. Funding is being provided by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature in May 2010.

Previous Story:
KDOT: Construction on K-10 suspended until further notice


Attention News Media LINK

KDOT: Construction on K-10 suspended until further notice

The Kansas Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday that work on K-10 from the east city limits of Lawrence to the Douglas/Johnson county line has been suspended until further notice.

KDOT says that the public will be notified at least two days prior to the work beginning. This project is still listed to be completed by November. No word given on the cause for the delay.

Attention News Media LINK

Updated Johnson County construction projects from KDOT

KDOT has added updates to several construction projects in Johnson County for this week.


I-35


EXPECT DELAYS! Northbound and southbound will have the right lanes closed from 175th Street to the Johnson/Miami County line for concrete pavement patching work beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 19 and running round the clock, 24/7, through Friday evening, September 23. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Friday, September 23.
Southbound I-35 to Sunflower Road exit ramp and the Sunflower Road to I-35 northbound ramp will be closed for concrete pavement repair work, 24/7, round the clock, on Tuesday, September 20 through Saturday, September 24. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Saturday, September 24.


Southbound will be reduced to two open lanes with alternating lane closures from 119th Street to 135th Street for pavement marking work on Tuesday, September 20 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Tuesday, September 20.


Northbound will have left lane closed from 119th Street to 135th Street for pavement marking work on Tuesday, September 20 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Tuesday, September 20.


I-435

Westbound right lane will be closed from State Line Road to Metcalf Avenue for pavement marking work beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 19 and reopening to all traffic at 5:00 a.m.on Tuesday, September 20. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Tuesday, September 20. (New 9-16-11)

Eastbound right lane will be closed from Nall Avenue to State Line Road for pavement marking working beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20 and reopening to all traffic at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, September 21.


Westbound right lane will be closed from State Line Road to Antioch Road for pavement marking work beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21 and reopening to all traffic at 5:00 a.m.on Thursday, September 22. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Thursday, September 22.


K-10


Eastbound left lane will be closed from Woodland Avenue to Mill Creek Road for guardrail repair work on Tuesday, September 20 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Tuesday, September 20.


US-56/Shawnee Mission Parkway


EXPECT DELAYS! Eastbound and westbound will have varying lane closures closures from State Line Road to Metcalf Avenue for asphalt mill and overlay beginning at 7:30 p.m. and reopening to all traffic at 5:30 a.m. the next morning. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Friday, September 23.


US-69


Northbound left lane will be closed from 87th Street to I-35 for structure work on Monday/Friday, September 19-23 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Project work is scheduled to be completed on Friday, September 23.


Northbound US-69 to 95th Street ramp will close for reconstruction work beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 29. Project work is scheduled to be completed in late September 2011.


All information provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.


Attention News Media LINK

Traffic Alert: US-56 in Douglas County

KDOT will begin work on eastbound and westbound lanes of US-56 today, Monday, September 19th. Traffic will be reduced to one lane between the US-59 junction to the Douglas/Osage County line for chip seal overlay application. Crews will be working during daylight hours, Monday through Friday.

Traffic will be directed through the work zone using flaggers and a pilot car operation. KDOT advises drivers to expect delays of up to 15 minutes. A news release from KDOT states that "when drivers enter the project work zone on US-56 from adjacent roadways, they must not enter onto either highway until they are directed by the flaggers/pilot car."

Reduced speed limits will be in place and a 12-foot lane width restriction throughout the project work zone will also be enforced during the daylight working hours.

The chip seal overlay application project is scheduled to be completed by Friday, September 23, weather permitting.

Information provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

87th Street & Renner Boulevard traffic advisory

The city of Lenexa is warning drivers that there will be "intermittent disruptions" on Wednesday and Thursday as utility crews perform tests of a gas pipeline.

Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline plans to have the testing crew working in the intersection from 9 a.m - 11 a.m. and again 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Crews will be back again on Thursday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The city advises that during the work hours, flaggers will stop traffic in one lane at a time for several minutes at a time while the testing crew bores holes in the pavement over the pipeline and inserts probes to perform tests on the pipeline. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route, if possible, to avoid the delays.

More information on this project and other construction projects throughout Lenexa may be found on the city's website in the Public Improvement Projects section.

K-10 resurfacing project scheduled to begin

KDOT is reminding drivers that they will begin a resurfacing project on an 8.5-mile stretch of K-10 from the east city limits of Lawrence to the Douglas/Johnson County line.



No work will occur during peak travel times of 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday or on University of Kansas home football game days, according to a press release.

The work is scheduled to begin Monday, September 12th and crews will begin the project at the east city limits of Lawrence. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in both the eastbound and westbound lanes during project work hours. There will also be a 14-foot lane width restriction.

KDOT advises drivers to be aware of the reduced speed limit of 55 mph through work zones and delays are expected. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible.

The project work includes: pavement repair and resurfacing on all mainline lanes, pavement of shoulders (10-foot outside shoulders and 6-foot inside/median shoulders when completed) and installation of "edgeline" rumble strips on both shoulders.

The KDOT press release says the "resurfacing project will smooth the road and fill surface defects that can shorten pavement life. Workers will first complete pavement repair work, then mill away 1-inch of the existing pavement followed by application of a 1.5-inch overlay. New pavement markings will be applied to the resurfaced roadway."

Hamm Construction of Perry, Kansas, is the primary contractor for the $4.3 million resurfacing project. Work is scheduled to be complete by early November 2011, weather permitting. The project is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature in May 2010.

More information and updated traffic impacts for this project can be found at: http://www.ksdot.org/topekametro/laneclose.asp

More information about this and other T-WORKS projects can be found at: http://kdotapp.ksdot.org/TWorks/

KHP: Game Day Traffic Should Leave Early & Prepare for Delays

Press Release from the Kansas Highway Patrol

Construction zones add extra time to/from Jayhawk/Wildcat sporting events.

This weekend marks not only the Labor Day holiday weekend, but also the beginning of the college football season. With both Kansas State University and the University of Kansas playing at home this weekend, Kansas roads will see many people traveling to and from these games, as well as other destinations. There are some major road projects that gameday traffic should be aware of.

KU Jayhawk fans can expect traffic to be slow or delayed due to construction east of town. There is construction on the Kansas Turnpike I-70, in the area of mile marker 204. Both eastbound and westbound lanes have construction. To monitor the Kansas Turnpike's updates on traffic, you can go to their Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/KansasTurnpike.

K-State Wildcat fans traveling from the west should expect delays as they come into town on K-18, due to construction between Ogden and Manhattan. Watch for the Kansas Department of Transportation's message boards to notify you of delays or road closures, should there be an accident. You can also tune into the K-State Sports Radio Network, 101.5 FM or 1350 AM.
Regardless of whether you cheer on the Jayhawks, Wildcats, or another team this weekend, the Kansas Highway Patrol would like to offer these tips to help you enjoy the football season, and the holiday weekend safely.

• Leave early. Traffic will be heavy a few hours prior to kickoff.
• Expect delays in the areas mentioned above during both pre- and post-game traffic.
• Be patient and courteous in pre- and post-game traffic.
• Obey all traffic control signs in the construction zone. Watch for decreased speed limits and lane closure signs. Remember, citation amounts double in workzones.
• Add additional following distance within the construction zone and heavy traffic areas.
• Utilize a designated driver. Extra troopers are out as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation's Special Traffic Enforcement Program, and they will be watching for impaired drivers.