Kansas Department of Transportation officials shared information this weel on the plans for future replacement of the Taylor Road bridge over I-70 just southwest of Junction City. The project is now in the final design phase.
This open house in Junction City focused on the replacement of the bridge only and not on any possibility of a future interchange near that location. KDOT District 2 Public Information Officer Ashley Perez said that the bridge was initially constructed in 1959 and needs to be replaced. The new bridge will be planned according to updated design standards and local transportation needs. "The current bridge is very narrow." To accommodate the larger bridge some additional right-of-way may be needed from adjacent landowners.
"The project is not currently funded for construction. The earliest that we would see construction start is in the fall of 2027. Once it goes to a bid letting and is awarded to a contractor more information would be known on when it could begin and how the bridge would be taken down."
KDOT is not currently looking at the interchange but is "keeping everything open for future needs, " said Perez.
Supporters and opponents of the proposed interchange were in attendance during the open house.