By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced their latest round of approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance. Along with K-96 Highway in Rush County, U.S. 50 Highway in Stafford County, K-96 to the west of Great Bend was selected.
KDOT Public Affairs Manager Tim Potter said K-96 will receive a milling and overlay from the Rush/Barton county line to the west city limits of Great Bend.
"We anticipate beginning this project this spring, possibly early May," said Potter. "With that possible timing for the start of the work, we would hope to complete the work around July. I do want to note that timeline is tentative until the details can be fully worked out."
The $3.4 million project will consist of 13.6 miles of K-96, and Venture Corporation will be the contractor.
The portion of K-96 was selected as part of a routine review and inspection of highways due to the highway's wear. KDOT said the last major work on that section was around 2016.
Also, 15 miles of U.S. 50 Highway, from the Edwards/Stafford county line east to the U.S. 281 Highway/U.S. 50 junction, will receive a $4.8 million mill and overlay.
In Rush County, 14.9 miles of K-96 will receive a mill and overlay. Venture will handle the $4.6 million from just east of the U.S. 183/K-96 junction east to the Rush/Barton county line.