Russell Co. bridge to undergo repairs starting next week

RUSSELL -- Road construction will begin next week on U.S. Highway 281 to repair the Fossil Creek Bridge located just south of the Interstate 70 overpass a U.S. 281, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation office in Hays.

The prime contractor, Reece Construction of Scandia, will set up traffic control signs Tuesday, which will alert travelers of the change in the traffic pattern while bridge repair is under way.

"The repairs to the driving surface of the bridge will be completed in two phases," said KDOT Area Engineer Kevin Zimmer. "Initially, the two center lanes of the bridge will be closed while construction crews work to patch the deck and apply a thin concrete overlay The second phase involves another switch in traffic while repairs occur on the two outside lanes."

The speed limit in the construction zone will be reduced to 35 mph.