New Polk-Quincy Viaduct will have a reduced curve and drivers will be able to go faster

Drivers on Interstate 70 will be able to safely go 10 mph faster on the downtown curve of Topeka's next Polk-Quincy Viaduct than they can on the current one.

Signage currently in place advises motorists approaching the curve to go no more than 45 mph, said Brian Armstrong, an engineer with Bartlett & West who is involved with the project to replace and realign that viaduct.

But that will rise to 55 mph after the Kansas Department of Transportation carries out that project, he said.

Project will flatten out I-70 curve through downtown Topeka

Armstrong was among those on hand early Thursday evening as KDOT and Topeka's city government held a community open house at the city's Holliday Building to update the public about the project.

The project seeks to improve safety by replacing and flattening out Interstate 70's sharp curve near S.E. 3rd Street while moving to the north the stretch of 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.

Actual construction is tentatively set to begin in the spring of 2025 and end in the fall of 2027, said a fact sheet on the project's website.

I-70 will be closed in the area involved from the early spring to late fall of 2026, said a page on the project website providing responses to frequently asked questions.

KDOT pleased with its progress buying properties

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

One building in that area at 124 S.W. Harrison will remain in place because it is deemed historically significant due to its architectural style.

Deb Tanking, who works in road design for KDOT, said she is pleased with the progress KDOT has made in terms of property acquisition.

KDOT now owns 22 of the 28 buildings it needed to buy, and has a contract in place to acquire one other.

Shawnee County appraiser's office records say KDOT remains yet to acquire the following:

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

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

• 129 S.E. Quincy, owned by TFI LLC.

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

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

City doing underground infrastructure work in area

Topeka's city government is carrying out a project in the area involved to relocate water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer infrastructure to avoid conflicts with the viaduct replacement project, according to the fact sheet.

Some of the infrastructure being relocated or replaced is nearly 100 years old, it said.

The city project includes 12,600 square yards of pavement removal and replacement, 7,035 feet of sanitary sewer, 2,644 feet of storm sewer and 6,009 feet of water line, the fact sheet said.

What will be beneath the new viaduct?

Discussion is ongoing between local, state and federal partners about using the area beneath the future viaduct as open space, said the page on the project website providing answers to frequently asked questions.

"Local partners with a concept and funding source will work with the city of Topeka, and the city will bring the concept to KDOT and the Federal Highway Administration for approval," it said. "General guidelines from FHWA include prohibiting anything directly under the viaduct that is combustible, which would include a parking lot where a vehicle could remain."

Food trucks using that area or camping won't be allowed because of the fire risk," the site said.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka's new Polk-Quincy Viaduct will have reduced curve, faster speed