U.S. 24 in Graham County reopens after flood damage

Earlier this year a portion of U.S. 24 in Graham County was damaged by flooding.

Less than six months after sustaining significant flood damage, a portion of U.S. 24 in Graham County has been reopened to traffic.

Memorial Day flash floods caused damage to a box bridge structure and adjacent roadway, prompting the closure. Crews from the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Hill City and Stockton Subareas stabilized the area to reopen it to one-lane traffic. KDOT’s bridge inspection staff then began assessing the scope of the damage. The road was partially reopened in mid-June and plans were already underway by KDOT design staff for a complete bridge replacement project.

Crews work to repair the bridge.

Work on the bridge replacement began at the end of July. The contractor was able to immediately mobilize following the contract agreement and finished work two weeks earlier than the required completion date. Hays Area Construction Engineer Nick Rogers said safety and weather concerns played a role in expediting the project.

U.S. 24 Bridge in Graham County

“We had some safety concerns with the possibility of having one-lane traffic through the area, especially during the winter months,” Rogers said. “Also, the chance additional precipitation events could have caused further damage, so we wanted to get a plan in place and repairs underway as soon as possible.”

The U.S. 24  Bridge in Graham County is now open to traffic.

Even though the road was closed during the busy summer travel and harvest season, Rogers said the locals were understanding of the situation.

“The county and local residents were really supportive and understanding that this was an entirely unanticipated situation,” Rogers said. “We really appreciated their patience.”

King Construction Company was the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $559,000.