Public input needed for major U.S. 50 project near Newton
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) — A major project is planned for U.S. Highway 50 on the southwest side of Newton. The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to replace the U.S. 50 bridge over Meridian Road and the railroad and improve the interchange.
The project will affect more people than those in the surrounding area. U.S. 50 is a main east-west highway through Kansas. A 2022 KDOT map shows about 7,000 people travel that stretch of U.S. 50 daily, while about 6,000 use that section of Meridian.
KDOT says the bridge over Meridian and the railroad needs to be replaced because it is nearing the end of its useful design life. Officials say a new bridge and better interchange will improve safety and reduce future maintenance.
“This project was identified as a top regional priority during Local Consult community meetings in the fall of 2023,” KDOT says. “As a result, it has been selected for the IKE development pipeline.”
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KDOT is holding an open house on Thursday, May 2, to show the interchange proposals and get public feedback on the designs. There will not be a formal presentation.
The open house is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Sand Creek Event Center, 1601 S. Anderson Avenue, Newton.
The cost of the project is estimated at $30 million. The start of construction will depend on funding, and other transportation needs around the state.
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