MHK Public Works says North Manhattan Ave. project, others making progress

Orange barrels have become part of the landscape in Manhattan this summer as Public Works officials continue work on several road construction projects.

“We have had some full closures, just because of construction sequencing, some projects we had to completely close things,” said Rob Ott, Manhattan Public Works Director.

Summer is typically the peak of construction season. That’s been aided this year by the pandemic, which has created less traffic overall in the city. A relatively dry summer compared to what was experienced in 2019, has also benefited construction crews.

Around K-State, one project is nearing completion along North Manhattan Ave. from Claflin Road to Bakers Way. Ott says he expects concrete to be poured this week with the roadway to open by the end of next week.

“Actual final completion won’t be until late September, if not the first of October, with all the pedestrian lighting, sidewalks, seeding, final grading and so forth. That project is moving along,” he said.

The entire project, which has been done in phases over the past few summers is estimated at a total cost of $2.3 million.

Work also continues on the north campus corridor project, primarily at College and Kimball Ave.

“The north lanes of Kimball are completed and that’s where traffic is currently moved over to. You still can’t go south on College. We are working to get everything on College Ave. open to gate 3 by the first home football game (Sept. 12),” he said.

The next phase will be further east along Kimball, which includes the widening of lanes and a new median near the curves and the removal of a cattle bridge over Kimball Ave.

Construction is anticipated to begin on that phase of the project toward the end of 2020.

Elsewhere across town, Ott says KDOT continues work on K-18 and Wildcat Creek bridges along Fort Riley Blvd. Delays will continue in that part of the city for some time as it’s not anticipated to be completed until late 2021.

Ott says Public Works has installed a new traffic signal where Fort Riley Blvd. meets Richards Drive and Rosencutter Road to better facilitate traffic flow in that area.

One other active project on Fort Riley Blvd., through a grant from KDOT is seeing concrete panel replacement along the road by the mall parking lot near Chili’s. That project is expected to wrap up in October. One lane of traffic is closed temporarily, southbound on Hwy 24 south of Poyntz.