Groundbreaking for U.S. 54 T-WORKS Project Celebrated in Seward County

 

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), state and local officials and highway advocates attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the previously delayed U.S. 54 T-WORKS expansion project in Seward County this morning.

 

“Agriculture is the economic engine of this county and more broadly this region – and we recognize that we need a transportation system that’s modernized to support larger equipment and increased truck traffic associated with it,” said Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. “This project will alleviate congestion and improve safety.”

 

State Rep. Shannon Francis and Liberal Chamber of Commerce CEO Rozelle Webb joined Secretary Lorenz in speaking prior to the groundbreaking event.

 

“This project means safer traveling for our eastern Seward County residents who drive to Liberal to work every day and safer traveling for folks who are passing through Seward County on the way to their eastern and western destinations,” Webb said.

 

KDOT is expanding three miles of U.S. 54 from two lanes to a four-lane divided limited access expressway in Seward County. Koss Construction Company of Topeka is the primary contractor on the $27.6 million T-WORKS project, which is located just east of the current 4-lane divided expressway in Seward County.

 

The project will also add a second bridge over the Cimarron River for westbound U.S. 54 traffic and repair the existing U.S. 54 bridge over the Cimarron River for eastbound traffic. The intersection of R Park Road and U.S. 54 will be realigned to a 90-degree intersection to improve driver’s sight line and turn lanes will be added at U.S. 54 and Davies/Panhandle Road.