Print edition: 
Motorists who use Hillside north of Central will face traffic restrictions for the next several months.
A road construction project repairing and resurfacing a portion of one of Wichita's busiest streets began this week between Ninth and 12th streets. It isn't scheduled to conclude until April.
Hillside will be down to one lane each direction during the $850,000 project, which is being paid for with federal stimulus package funds.
"It does carry a significant amount of traffic," said Gail Williams, assistant to the director of public works for the city.
The area being resurfaced is a primary artery for traffic going to Wichita State University to the north and Wesley Medical Center to the south.
Traffic counts suggest that stretch is among the city's busiest, Williams said.
The intersection of 13th and Hillside averages 13,500 vehicles a day, and Central and Hillside averages 17,800 a day.
By comparison, 13th and Oliver averages 16,500, and 13th and Woodlawn averages 19,000.
The resurfacing on Hillside north of Wesley is necessary, Williams said, because "the surface is getting pretty spotty."
Because the construction zone is relatively small, she said, officials are not concerned that the lane reductions will hinder ambulances trying to reach the hospital.
"It's really just a three-block stretch," Williams said. "It's not like traffic will be coming to a stop."
