Construction focused on constructing the new viaduct and widening I-70 west to MacVicar. I-70 remained open in a reduced configuration.

Construction will focus on connecting the highway to the new viaduct. I-70 will remain open for a portion of the year in a reduced configuration

• Beginning in June, I-70 will be closed between Topeka Blvd. and S.E. 8^th St. for approximately six months. Through traffic will be detoured to I-470.

• Aside from intermittent closures, Kansas Avenue and Topeka Boulevard, including both bridges, will be open for northbound and southbound travel.

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Fact Sheet Spring 2026

I-70 Polk-Quincy Construction Phases Board

I-70 Polk-Quincy 2027 Construction Closure and Detour Display Board

I-70 Polk-Quincy Spring and Summer 2027 Display Board

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Boards - 1962 Construction 

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - Construction

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - Renderings

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - West and East Project

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - West Project 

 I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct and Topeka Area Projects Fact Sheet - English

 I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct and Topeka Area Projects Fact Sheet - Spanish

February 2025 Public Open House Presentation

Presentation from May 2023 Public Meeting

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project FAQs

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Fact Sheet - Spanish

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Fact Sheet - English

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - Viaduct Project

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - Renderings

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Final Environmental Assessment Report

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - City Work

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Project Boards - Construction

After nearly 60 years of service life, there is significant deterioration on the viaduct (i.e., the bridge portion of this section of I-70). Furthermore, traffic volumes have increased, highway design criteria have changed and the area around the viaduct has undergone evolving development. This project will enhance safety with wider shoulders, flatten the curve near Third Street, and extend acceleration and deceleration lanes in certain areas.

The project builds two lanes going in each direction across the viaduct, and the project design provides for future expansion to three lanes in each direction if needed. The additional lanes would go to the inside, which requires the extra space for potential use in the future.

To construct the new viaduct, the old viaduct must be taken down. Demolition of the existing viaduct will occur during daytime and nighttime hours and is expected to take approximately three weeks in June. After the old viaduct is removed, I-70 will remain closed until approximately December 2026 to connect the new structure to the I-70 alignment.

The official detour on I-470 is the most direct and seamless route around the I-70 closure area in downtown Topeka. Motorists can consider using alternate routes that are not tolled, but should be aware that alternate routes could be impacted by traffic congestion, other road construction projects, etc.

I-470/KTA is a user-funded roadway and is not supported by taxes. For drivers regularly using the detour, KDOT recommends getting a free KTAG for 50% off tolls from DriveKS.com.

Second Street will remain open from the west to Jackson Street. The project team plans to remove the existing viaduct, patch the holes in the existing Second Street where the piers are now, and then that roadway will remain open to Jackson Street and closed from Jackson Street to the east.

The aesthetic focus is on the viaducts and retaining walls and how they tie into design elements seen throughout downtown. Design options are still under consideration, and nothing is finalized at this time.

The three‐lane section of I‐70 will stretch between MacVicar Avenue and Topeka Boulevard. Aside from that section, the interstate design provides two lanes. The project design allows for future expansion and additional lanes across the viaduct, if needed.

The City of Topeka is planning more bicycle and pedestrian features in the Kansas Avenue area, including a grant‐funded conversion of one southbound traffic lane to a two‐way bicycle lane across the Kansas Avenue Bridge. The project design team is working very closely with the City of Topeka to analyze how to get the best balance for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in that area. On‐street bike lanes on 4th Street and Van Buren Street are planned, and both the eastbound and westbound frontage roads will have 10‐foot shared‐use paths adjacent to them for pedestrians and cyclists.

One building in the area, 124 S.W. Harrison, will remain in place because it is deemed historically significant due to its architectural style.