Kansas Turnpike project to increase drainage at culverts where 7 died in flooding

Work to improve drainage on a Flint Hills section of the Kansas Turnpike – at two culverts where seven I-35 travelers have died in flooding – is scheduled to begin in the coming week.

The Kansas Turnpike Authority said the project will bolster storm drainage capacity of the current concrete structures that run under the Turnpike at mile markers 116 and 118. Those are between the Matfield Green service area and the Emporia exits.

In 2003, six people died in a flood at MM 116. Last summer, a Texas man died in flooding at MM 118.

The drainage work will start on the southbound lanes, so all traffic will be moved to the northbound side between MM 116 and 118. There will be a single lane in each direction, the Turnpike Authority said. Once the southbound side is completed, traffic will be shifted so work can be done on the northbound side.

The project will be finished in late November if weather allows it, the Turnpike Authority said.

The work “includes replacing, lengthening or adding culverts to the existing drainage,” it said.

At MM 116, the single 7-foot-by-7-foot structure will be replaced with a 14-by-12 “double cell structure.”

At MM 118, the 8-by-8 culvert will become 20 feet longer to the north and nearly 18 feet longer to the south. Also, a 12-by-8 culvert will be built on each side of the “existing/lengthened structure.”

The general contractor is Hamm Inc. of Perry, Kan.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 3:33 PM with the headline "Kansas Turnpike project to increase drainage at culverts where 7 died in flooding."