by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Kansas Department of Transportation has confirmed that the K-49 bridge replacement project, six miles north of Caldwell, is still on schedule to reopen in May 2017.

For the past month, K-49, which links drivers going north of Caldwell to U.S. 160, has been closed as a new bridge is being constructed over the Chikaskia River Drainage about three miles south of the K-44/K-49 junction. Drivers, going north of Caldwell, have been detoured east on U.S. 81 through South Haven and Wellington.

King Construction Company Inc. from Hesston is the prime contractor for the $998,000 bridge project and is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature.

The project officially began on Nov. 2 and through traffic was detoured using state routes on K-44, K-49, U.S. 160 and U.S. 81 with postage signals. Drivers have expected delays of more than 30 minutes.

“The preservation project is scheduled to be completed in May 2017, depending on delays caused by adverse weather conditions,” said Zach Oswald, South Central Kansas Public Affairs Manager for KDOT.