Designed to improve accessibility and bring new economic opportunities to downtown Topeka and the historic NOTO arts and entertainment district, the I-70/Polk-Quincy Viaduct project didn't happen overnight. In fact, it took years of planning before work could take place on the busy thoroughfare.

"The I-70/Polk-Quincy Viaduct [PQV] corridor is an essential route for national travel and commerce, as well as a major connection for regional travel and local commuters," Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) spokesperson Kate Craft told Construction Equipment Guide. "This project will improve and modernize the front door to our capital city by replacing aging infrastructure, easing congestion and enhancing safety on the heavily traveled corridor and surrounding area."

Craft said after nearly six decades of service life, there's significant deterioration on the existing viaduct.

"A portion of the barrier wall fell in June 2022, and weekend closures have been consistently necessary to patch the PQV bridge deck to keep it in a drivable condition. The cost to maintain the aging structure continued to rise and was no longer fiscally responsible."

KDOT photo

The $239 million, 2.5-mi. project is funded by the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE). Having commenced in early 2025, work has included initial construction of the new PQV structures, expanding both directions of I-70 between MacVicar Avenue and Topeka Boulevard from two to three lanes; reconstructing the I-70/Topeka Boulevard interchange; and making improvements to the local street network.

"The eastbound I-70 off-ramp to Topeka Boulevard opened late last year," said Craft. "This is significant because Topeka Boulevard is one of the main arteries extending through the entire city. It's also a major connector between north and south Topeka, and to the downtown area and state office buildings."

The I-70 Polk-Quincy project runs roughly from MacVicar Avenue to 6th Street, and was awarded to Bettis Koss Construction, a joint venture between Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc. and Koss Construction Co., both of Topeka. Crews are reconstructing the Topeka Boulevard interchange, widening I-70 between MacVicar Avenue and Topeka Boulevard and building the new viaducts. This summer, the focus will shift to connecting the highway to the new viaducts.

According to Craft, the confined nature and limited space within the work site, especially between Topeka Boulevard and 4th Street, has been a concern when coordinating multiple contractors and work crews that need access to the site.

"In addition, there have been challenges with utilities, especially in the early stages. This is one of the oldest areas of Topeka, and there was a considerable amount of old and abandoned utilities that needed to be replaced, relocated or removed entirely.

KDOT photo

"Time is also a challenge. A lot of major reconstruction work is being performed within a three-construction season timeframe. Constant communication and detailed coordination between KDOT, the prime contractor and subcontractors is critical to keeping the project on track."

Craft noted that connecting the new viaduct bridges to I-70 includes completion of the deep fills and mechanically stabilized earth walls near Topeka Boulevard and Kansas Avenue.

"These fills will bridge the gap between new and existing abutments, with the Kansas Avenue work also softening the I-70 alignment. Crews must also finish the new viaduct bridge — eastbound by the end of this year and westbound by mid-2027 — and concrete pavement."

Widening I-70 between MacVicar Avenue and Topeka Boulevard involves reconstructing the existing alignment and adding one additional eastbound and westbound lane, expanding the corridor from two to three lanes in each direction. New viaduct and 4th Street bridge work also is under way, with all piers for each of the new bridge structures completed. Crews have been placing girders for both PQV and 4th Street structures and started pouring the PQV deck surface.

The corridor is known for a harsh "s-curve" at 3rd Street, one of the sharpest on I-70 between Denver and St. Louis. As part of reconstruction efforts, crews will flatten the curve to improve visibility and reduce accidents.

As for unexpected problems at the job site, Craft said challenges with the utility relocations were more in-depth than anticipated.

"The contractor, KDOT and the city of Topeka worked with the utility companies to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. Adjustments were made and crews focused on other areas of project work that weren't impacted, so as not to delay the overall project schedule."

Construction calls for more than 900,000 cu. yds. of various excavation quantities made up of approximately 202,000 cu. yds. of common excavation; 403,000 cu. yds. of contractor furnished fill; 266,000 cu. yds. of special fill (MSE wall backfill); and 62,000 cu. yds. of rock excavation. Much of the traditional earthwork is complete, but crews are in the early stages of the MSE wall segments/fills.

KDOT photo

Several ramps and bridges have been or will be partially or fully demolished during construction, which requires detailed plans to safely remove the structures. Demolition also included the roadways to make room for the new alignment where existing pavement had been.

Equipment being used includes small and large tracked excavators, loaders, skid steer loaders, tracked dozers, single-lane and multi-lane sized concrete paving equipment, asphalt paving equipment, soil stabilization equipment, cranes, manlifts and haul trucks.

Materials include structural steel for bridge girder system and expansion joints; steel and rubber bearing devices; steel piling foundations; reinforcing steel; and concrete for abutments, piers, bridge deck and barriers. Materials for retaining walls include precast concrete facing panels, reinforcing strips and special backfill.

Craft said weather conditions are taken into consideration when planning undertakings such as this one.

"Snow and rain can sometimes have short-term impacts on construction but usually have little to no major impacts on a project's timeline. Many projects shut down for the winter season — December to February — but the PQV contractors opted to continue working through the winter months as much as conditions allowed."

Construction next will focus on completing work on I-70 and the local city street network. Kansas Avenue also will be closed between 3rd Street and Laurent Street while I-70 connecting ramps are constructed. I-70 will be open in a reduced configuration for most of the year. Project completion is expected by the end of 2027.

When asked by Construction Equipment Guide about the significance of the ongoing work, KDOT Topeka metro engineer Steve Baalman said, "It means a lot to be part of the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project. KDOT and the city of Topeka have been working for years to get this project off the ground, since it improves several safety and operational issues.

"Locally, this project will enhance accessibility and hopefully bring new economic opportunities to both downtown Topeka and NOTO. Those using I-70 to travel in and through the Capital City will also have a much-improved segment of interstate. Seeing the payoff of our efforts and knowing they will benefit countless motorists for years to come is incredibly rewarding." CEG