By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Construction on the eastern portion of Old U.S. 40 is coming to an end, and traffic could be moving by Monday.

Ellis County Public Works Director Mike Graf said the project is “substantially complete.” Graf said crews need to do some grading work on driveway entrances and work on the shoulders.

Graf also said there still are some striping and pavement markings that need to be completed, but those need about 48 hours of dry weather. Graf said they hope to have that finished in the next couple of days. Crews will also complete a review of the project later this week before opening the roadway to motorists.

The deadline for the construction to be wrapped up is June 15, and Graf said he expects the roadway will be open Monday — “if everything goes according to plan.”

Reconstruction of the west section of U.S. 40 — from Yocemento to Ellis — is still in the design phase, but Graf said that process could be wrapped up by the fall.

It will then be up to Ellis County commissioners to decide if they want to proceed with that part of the project, which will depend upon the budget.

Graf said if the project goes to bid this fall, construction would be sometime in 2015, adding there is currently no “strong commitment” to request bids this fall.