The Kansas Department of Transportation expects to begin work on a reconstruction project on approximately 11 miles of U.S. 281 in Russell County the week of May 23.

The project will widen the roadway to a 30-foot paved surface with 3-foot turf shoulders, starting near Land Road and extending north to the west K-18 junction. The box bridge structure over Boswell Creek will also be replaced.

Work will be phased across three construction seasons with most activity occurring off road during 2022 and 2023. Daily lane closures may be necessary at times, and traffic will be directed by flaggers. KDOT plans to close the highway during the 2024 construction season with an anticipated reopening in mid-October 2024. The project is expected to be completed in early 2025.

The 11-mile portion is the final part of the delayed T-WORKS project to rehabilitate and reconstruct the U.S. 281 corridor between Russell and K-18. KDOT completed reconstruction of the first 4 miles from 15th Street in Russell to Land Road in late 2021.

Sporer Land Development of Oakley is the primary contractor for the $36 million project. For more information, contact KDOT area construction engineer Mitchel Johnson at 785- 625-9718 or mitchel.johnson@ks.gov. 

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This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request. For information about obtaining an alternative format, contact the KDOT Division of Communications, 700 SW Harrison St., 2nd Fl West, Topeka, KS 66603-3754 or phone 785-296-3585 (Voice)/Hearing Impaired – 711.