US-77 Improvements coming to Junction City

A forward thinking Interchange design referred to as Diverging Diamond Interchange will soon be constructed in District 2 as part of a series of improvements scheduled for US-77 at Junction City. In addition to the interchange, there is a widening in all directions of the Rucker Rd/US77 intersection, the eradication of Walla Walla Rd, and a widening of the southbound lanes on US77 just south of the US77/K57 four lane interchange.

The Diverging Diamond Interchange project at I-70/US-77 was let in April and construction will begin in

late June of this year. When the DDI concept was presented to the community advisory committee assisting in the development of a series of improvements coming to US-77 at Junction City, it received overwhelming support.

Just how traffic passes through the DDI is unconventional but easily understood by drivers unfamiliar

A DDI Interchange in Springfield, MO.    with the design.

The DDI has many advantages over a traditional Diamond Interchange when dealing with high traffic volumes and a high percentage of tractor-trailers by reducing the number of conflict points. The benefits are:

 

Safety Benefits

 

• Fewer conflict points (14 for DDI, 26 for conventional)
• Conflict points spread out throughout interchange
• Better sight distance at turns
• Virtually no driver confusion (FHWA study and new DDI observations in Springfield, MO)
• Traffic calming features when desired
• Wrong way entry to ramps extremely difficult
• Pedestrian crossings are shorter

Supporting Data

 

• MODOT survey shows that 97% of drivers feel safer in the new Springfield DDI compared to the previous diamond interchange
• Crash data for the new Springfield DDI show a 60% reduction in collisions in a five-month comparison of the old interchange
• Versailles, France DDI showed that within a five-year time span that was examined, there were only been 11 reported light crashes

Operational Benefits

 

• Unique phase combinations
• “Free” or simple left and right turns from all directions
• Increases left turn lane capacity without needing more lanes
• Only two phases needed, shorter cycle length
• Lanes with multiple assignments in all directions
• Better storage between the ramp terminals
• More functional during a power outage
• U-turns from highway are accommodated well
• More functional during a power outage
• 

 

Kansas Department of Transportation News Release

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diagram shows how traffic will pass thru a DDI Interchange

 

 

JUNCTION CITY – (May 18, 2015) – An Abilene man was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility for parole for at least 25 years under Jessica’s Law, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

John R. Harwood Jr., 46, of Abilene, was sentenced in Geary County District Court by Judge David R. Platt.  Harwood was convicted by a Dickinson County jury in December 2014 of aggravated criminal sodomy. The charge involved a child under of the age of 14 and stemmed from an incident that occurred in May 2012.

The case was investigated by the Abilene Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Assistant Attorney General Christine Ladner prosecuted the case.

A fundraising effort for a new Geary County Senior Center is beginning.

The Board of Directors for the Senior Center have voted to begin the process that would put a facility in the central part of Junction City, instead of on the west side of town adjacent to South Spring Valley Road.

That information was provided by board member Susan Davis. “We want one that’s more centrally located in town. We want to be able to offer more opportunities for our seniors to have, for an example, a pool table, ping pong table, entertainment, things to do, just to offer more opportunity for the seniors in this community.”  Davis heads the fundraising committee. Fundraisers are being planned, and grants and donations will also be sought.

Davis noted a new building would take $200,00, or probably more funding. She said they’re hoping to complete fundraising in a two or three-year period.  She also made it clear that while Senior Center officials want to continue to receive Geary County funding support for operations, they do not want to impact the property tax levy with this project. They hope to raise the money themselves.

The first fundraiser is Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Freddy’s Restaurant on East Chestnut Street in Junction City, where a portion of proceeds will go toward the Geary County Senior Center project.

The City Superintendent in Grandview, Plaza Jerome Thomas confirms a water main break that occurred Monday has been repaired.

The break occurred at a spot coming out of the Grandview Plaza Pump House on the line that connects that city with Junction City.

 

State Senator Jeff Longbine, Emporia, has filed the paperwork to decline pay for the remainder of the Kansas Legislative Session.

Traditionally, the Legislature is limited in Kansas to a 90-day session. However, legislative leaders

have the option to extend the session into overtime in years when consensus has not been reached on a balanced budget. The Legislature reached its 90th on Saturday and are now operating in overtime in Topeka. Legislators have not yet been given an opportunity to vote on a budget bill.

“Every day that the Legislature spends in overtime costs taxpayers another $43,000,” said Sen. Longbine. “As legislators, we need to do our part to find cost savings wherever we can. I don’t believe taxpayers in our district should have to foot the bill when the Legislature doesn’t get its work done on time so I have opted to forgo overtime pay.”

 

1st District Congressman Tim Huelskamp has scheduled a Town Hall meeting Wednesday, May 27, at Council Grove City Hall, located at 205 North Union Street.

It will begin at 9:15 a.m.

Huelskamp will also have a Town Hall meeting on the 27th in Alma at the Wabaunsee County Courthouse in the Commissioners meeting room.  It is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

The Geary County Veterans Alliance Memorial Day Program will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the C. L. Hoover Opera House.

The guest speaker will be Junction City Manager Allen Dinkel, and the keynote speaker 65th District State Representative Lonnie Clark of Junction City.

The Community band will be playing about 15 minutes prior to the start of the program.

 

MANHATTAN – Authorities in Manhattan are investigating a case of school vandalism.

Officers took a juvenile into custody after he reportedly vandalized a fire sprinkler head at the Manhattan High School West Campus on Friday.

The school experienced flooding and damage which was valued at approximately $1,500.00 of needed repair.

Manhattan High School Principal Greg Hoyt, staff and students evacuated the west campus building on Friday afternoon.

“The Manhattan Fire Department responded with a single truck,” Hoyt said in a media release. “Information from the alarm system indicated a “water flow” issue in the boiler room. Fire and school officials investigated the boiler room and found no evidence of any fire issue or potential. Further investigation revealed that a sprinkler head in a student restroom had been vandalized, causing the alarm to sound.

Students and staff were permitted back inside the building after approximately 30 minutes.

The student was released to his parents after being transported to the Riley County Police Department.

The vandalism came a day after Principal Hoyt released a statement asking for students not to participate in pranks for “Junior Takeover Day.”

 

 

Junction City Public Works officials have confirmed that Patriot Pointe has had a water main break. Residents will experience periods of no water, rust-colored water, and law water pressure for a four to hour period during repairs ( 2:45 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. time range ).

MANHATTAN -The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Science and Technology Directorate announced the award of a contract for the final phase of construction of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, or NBAF, being constructed in Manhattan according to Kansas State University.

The $834 million award by S&T’s procurement support partner, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, or FLETC, modifies the existing contract for McCarthy Mortensen NBAF Joint Venture, which was selected in 2009.

“The NBAF will be a key component in our joint effort with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to advance research critical to the security of our nation’s food supply and agricultural economy,” said S&T Under Secretary Dr. Reginald Brothers. “This critical facility will further develop the strategic partnerships between the Department, the state of Kansas, and the city of Manhattan, along with private entities and better leverage the research capabilities of the NBAF once it is operational.”

The state of Kansas is providing $307 million, and the city of Manhattan is providing $5 million toward the total acquisition cost inclusive of planning, design, construction and commissioning of the $1.25 billion facility. The award is the beginning of the third and final phase of construction of the NBAF. Site preparation was completed in 2012 with funding provided by the state of Kansas.

The central utility plant, or CUP, is expected to be completed in October of this year. The $80 million CUP, which houses the boilers, chillers, emergency diesel generators and other support elements for the main laboratory facility, was funded with $40 million in federal appropriations and $40 million in gift funding from the state of Kansas.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2020 with full operational capability achieved by 2022.