Construction on I-70 in Dickinson County is slated to resume Monday ( Mar. 17 ).

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation beginning later next week all traffic will be moved onto the improved eastbound outside lane, while work on the westbound lanes, ramps, and bridges is completed. Westbound traffic will run head to head with eastbound traffic from the east end of the project west to the Jeep Road interchange ( 277 ), then cross over to the existing westbound lanes. A new cross over will be constructed to allow westbound traffic to exit the Interstate at the Abilene Interchange ( 275 ).  Once completed head to head traffic will be in effect the entire length of the project.

The project begins one mile west of the I-70 / K-15 Interchange east to a point one and a half miles west of exit 286  at Chapman.

In order to minimize the duration of ramp closures this year construction will be completed in four phases. Phase one will include the demolition of the westbound bridge over K-43, completion of work in the eastbound lanes at Jeep Road, and the building of a cross over at the K-15 / I-70 interchange. Eastbound ramps at Jeep Road will be closed during this time.

The tentative schedule for Phase one is March 17 to April 26, with completion of the entire four phase project scheduled by September 6.

Signs and message boards will be installed before each phase to detour the public around the ramp closures.