Here's when the KDOT will start downtown Topeka demolition — and which buildings it still needs to buy

The Kansas Department of Transportation has again postponed its plans to begin razing houses in the path of the planned realigned version of the Polk-Quincy Viaduct.

Demolition now appears likely to begin in early September, said Kelly Kultala, a spokeswoman for KDOT.

"The demolition plan is still being crafted," she said.

KDOT had initially planned for workers to begin tearing down houses in June. That was subsequently moved back to July, then to mid-August.

KDOT has acquired 17 of 28 properties with buildings that will be razed

KDOT this year has been negotiating to gain "total acquisition" of 41 properties in the area involved, including 28 that include buildings.

KDOT has acquired all nine houses it needs for the project. Those are at 120 S.W. Tyler, 122 S.W. Tyler, 113 S.W. Harrison, 125 S.W. Harrison, 127 S.W. Harrison, 128 S.W. Harrison, 130 S.W. Harrison, 127 S.W. Van Buren and 135 S.W. Van Buren.

KDOT has gained possession of eight of the 17 commercial properties it plans to acquire for the project, according to the Shawnee County Appraiser's office.

Appraiser's office records say those include buildings at:

• 103 S.W. Van Buren, 109 S.W. Van Buren and 112 S.W. Harrison, all formerly owned by Shawnee Woodwork Inc.

• 115 S.W. Jackson, formerly owned by Piping Contractors of Kansas Inc.

• 127 S. Kansas Ave., formerly owned by Gary D. Smith, doing business as Gary D. Smith Construction.

• 128 S.W. Van Buren, formerly owned by Pro Keyless Entry & Hardware LLC.

• 129 S.W. Jackson and 135 S.W. Jackson, formerly owned by Topeka FM Comm Inc.

More: Here's when KDOT will start downtown Topeka demolition and how many buildings it still needs to buy

KDOT hasn\'t yet acquired these properties it needs for viaduct

The nine commercial properties appraiser's office records show KDOT has yet to acquire include the following locations:

• 101 S.W. Tyler, owned by First Avenue Leasing LLC.

• 116 S. Kansas Ave., owned by Team Kansas Inc.

• 122 S.W. 2nd, owned by KPL Gas Service.

• 121 S. Kansas Ave., owned by the Steven J. Mohan Trust.

• 124 S.W. Van Buren, owned by Anthony L. Graves.

• 129 S.E. Quincy, owned by TFI LLC.

• 200 S.E. 3rd, owned by Uriel Chavira.

• 631 S.W. 1st, owned by Ryder Truck Rental.

• And 600 S.W. 2nd, owned by Ryder Truck Rental.

KDOT also has yet to acquire the buildings that house the Topeka charity Let's Help at 200 S. Kansas Ave. and the Topeka office at 215 S.E. Quincy for Harvesters, the Community Food Network, according to appraiser's office records.

More: An I-70 detour through downtown Topeka will increase traffic congestion for about three weeks

What will the viaduct project do?

The viaduct project seeks to improve safety by replacing and flattening out Interstate 70's sharp curve near S.E. 3rd Street by moving to the north much of the highway that currently runs to the west of that curve.

The curve was created when KDOT in 1963 built the viaduct, an aging, elevated four-lane segment of I-70 that runs between S.W. Polk and S.E. Quincy streets.

Officials with Topeka's city government since at least 2006 have sought to replace and realign the viaduct.

The city of Topeka is to

More: I-70 viaduct deterioration more serious than thought. KDOT inspector resigns after not reporting it.

I-70 traffic is being detoured around the viaduct

Starting last Monday, westbound traffic on I-70 has been detoured through downtown Topeka so pavement can be patched on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct.

Westbound I-70 has consequently been closed between S.E. 8th Avenue and S.W. Topeka Boulevard. That arrangement is expected to remain in place for three weeks.

A few miles east of the detour location, westbound drivers on I-70 are being encouraged to take detours, which will include going north on K-4 highway or south on the Kansas Turnpike.

Drivers who continue westbound on on I-70 are subsequently directed to exit that highway at S.E. 8th and Madison, take S.E. Madison north to S.E. 6th, then go west to S.W. Topeka Boulevard and north to I-70.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka demolition to clear path for realigned viaduct postponed again