Monday, April 22, 2013 work on I-70 in Dickinson County begins with the construction of cross-over lanes in the median in preparation for future road work. Drivers should expect to see temporary lane closures and possibly flaggers as the cross-over lanes are built. The project begins .4 miles west of the I-70/K-15 interchange at Abilene then east to a point 2.3 miles east of the I-70/K-43 interchange.

It is anticipated that on or about Monday, May 6th, I-70 traffic will be moved head to head onto the west bound lanes in prior to construction on the east bound lanes starting Tuesday, May 7th.

Following that construction, efforts will move to the removal and replacement of the I-70/K-43 Bridge (mile marker 281). The bridge will be demolished and removed while traffic passes by the work zone using the interchange on and off ramps. Construction of the new bridge will then begin.

In total, eight bridges will receive improvements and the two K-43 bridges will be replaced. During the bridge improvement phase of construction every other interchange will have ramps temporarily closed for construction to west bound traffic. This ensures that no two interchanges in a row will have closed ramps at any time. When work on the first set of bridges is completed the associated ramps will be reopened and construction will move to the other set of bridges. When traffic is transferred to the new east bound lanes the ramp closure process will be repeated. Drivers should be prepared for changes in traffic control throughout construction.

The east bound lanes of I-70 will be patched where needed and then receive an asphalt overlay. Once the east bound construction is completed, head to head traffic will be moved from the west bound lanes onto the new eastbound lanes and the closed west bound lanes will be overlaid. Plans call for all construction to be completed in late April, 2014.

Ideker Inc. of St Joseph, MO is the prime contractor. Project cost is $24,112,034.95.