South Topeka Boulevard Bridge to be replaced in early February

This South Topeka Boulevard Bridge will soon be replaced.

Shawnee County commissioners approved the public works request Thursday to award a bid to King Construction Co., of Hesston, to replace the bridge on South Topeka Boulevard, over the Wakarusa River for $2,256,756.21.

The construction will be paid for using funds from the county bridges portion of the 2017-2031 half-cent countywide sales tax program. In early August, the commission approved a project budget of $3,166,311.

When will construction on the bridge begin?

Curt Niehaus, director of public works, said the construction is expected to begin Feb. 5. It's anticipated to be completed over a seven-month time period and finish Sept. 13.

"There will be no sign detour, but we'll have signs on Topeka Boulevard announcing that Topeka Boulevard will be closed so many miles ahead and encourage them to use U.S. Highway 75," Niehus told The Capital-Journal.

Niehus said the bridge has served its due lifespan, so the replacement is right.

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The Capital-Journal reported in October 2020, the bridge would be replaced in 2023 because the load-bearing deck of the bridge had cracking.

Commissioners approved Finney and Turnipseed Transportation and Civil Engineering LLC for “design services including geotechnical report and construction engineering services."

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: South Topeka Boulevard Bridge will be replaced, beginning in February