Two I-70 reconstruction projects in Ellsworth County are scheduled to resume work beginning Monday, March 19, 2012. One project begins two miles west of the I-70/K-232 interchange (exit 206 to Wilson Lake) then east to a point four miles east of the I-70 Sylvan Grove Interchange (exit 209). The second project begins at the I-70/west K-14 Interchange (exit 219) then east to a point 1.5 miles east of the I-70/K-156 Interchange (exit 225).
On March 19, 2012, traffic on both projects will be restricted to one lane in each direction. Beginning the first week of April traffic will be carried head to head on the eastbound lanes allowing for bridge repairs and concrete overlays of the existing westbound lanes.
In the first project work on the westbound lanes the westbound ramps at exits 206 and 209 will be closed for reconstruction. Traffic entering I-70 at the 206 and 209 interchanges wanting to travel westbound will be detoured on I-70 eastbound to the 216 Interchange, exit I-70 and cross over the interchange bridge to re-enter I-70 westbound. Westbound I-70 traffic wanting to exit at 206 or 209 will continue westbound to the Dorrance Interchange (exit 199) and exit I-70 then cross under the interchange bridge to re-enter I-70 eastbound to the exit of choice.
The contractor's schedule calls for completion of the westbound lanes on the first project by June 1, weather permitting. At that time traffic will be switched to the new westbound lanes to allow for the overlay of the eastbound lanes and ramps. Traffic entering I-70 at the 206 and 209 interchanges wanting to travel eastbound will be detoured on westbound I-70 to the I-70 Interchange at Dorrance (exit 199) and exit I-70 then cross under the interchange bridge to re-enter I-70 eastbound. Eastbound I-70 traffic wanting to exit at 206 or 209 will continue eastbound to the Interchange (exit 216) and exit I-70 then across the interchange bridge to re-enter I-70 westbound to the exit of choice. Both projects are scheduled to be completed on or about Oct 1, 2012 weather permitting.
Release no. 12-002