The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a project to replace six bridges on U.S. 166 in Cherokee County on Thursday. The project area starts ¼-mile east of the Labette-Cherokee county line and continues east for just over 2 miles. The bridges will be replaced three at a time.

Traffic at each bridge will be reduced to one lane controlled by signals, with expected delays of 15 minutes or less. The six existing bridges are currently posted with weight limits, and the weight restrictions will remain in effect throughout the project. The replacement of the first three bridges is scheduled to complete by mid-November 2021. Project activity will be suspended over the winter months, with work resuming on the remaining three bridges in March 2022. KDOT expects all six new bridges to be opened to traffic by mid-December 2022.

KDOT awarded the construction contract of $14.8 million to Bridges Inc. of Newton. Drivers are reminded to obey the reduced speed limit through the work zone and to pay close attention to the signs and signals.