KDOT will begin a project to reconstruct and rehabilitate 7½ miles of U.S. 169 in Anderson County beginning this week.

Project activity includes the complete reconstruction of U.S. 169 from Welda north to the junction with U.S. 59; and shoulder widening and replacement of the pavement from the U.S. 59 junction north to the roundabout south of Garnett. The project will also improve the vertical alignment of U.S. 169 to provide more opportunities to safely pass slow-moving vehicles.

During early phases, traffic will be reduced to one lane controlled by signals at work zones north of U.S. 59. Expect delays of 15 minutes or less. Later this spring, KDOT plans to close U.S. 169 between Welda and U.S. 59. When the highway is closed, traffic will be placed on a state route detour using U.S. 54 and U.S. 59. The date of this closure has yet to be announced.

The project should be finished by early 2021.