Beginning as early as January 6, a project to replace the bridge over Middle Ladder Creek along K-27 Highway in Wallace County will begin.

The bridge is located approximately one mile north of the Wallace/Greeley County line.

Workers will start placing signs and traffic control devices on or around January 6 – weather permitting.

The bridge is 50 years old, according to a news release from the Kansas Department of Transportation.  The scope of the project includes replacing the existing bridge which was constructed in 1963.

The construction work will be completed in phases. The first phase includes earthwork and installing a temporary shoo-fly detour which will be located east of the existing bridge.

“Traffic will not be affected during the first phase of construction,” reports KDOT Area Engineer Mathew Withington. “The second phase of the project includes construction of the new bridge structure during the first part of April. At that time, drivers will then utilize the temporary shoo fly detours to navigate around the construction.”

KDOT awarded the construction contract – totaling $2.4 million – to L & M Contractors, Inc., of Great Bend.

Weather permitting this project will be completed by fall of 2014.

The bridge replacement project is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature in May of 2010.