Wamego highway closure will result in nearly 30-mile detour for drivers
WAMEGO (KSNT) - State transportation officials say an upcoming railroad crossing repair project in Wamego will result in traffic disruptions at the local level and a big detour for some.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced on KanDrive that work crews are getting ready to start the repair project at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 31 and wrap it up by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3. Workers will be repairing a railroad crossing that sits between U.S. Highway 24 and the Wabaunsee/Pottawatomie County line.
KS-99 Highway will be shut down for both northbound and southbound traffic while this project is ongoing, according to KDOT. The official detour route for those trying to reach Wamego on KS-99 Highway from the south runs for nearly 30 miles and is as follows:
- Drivers traveling north on KS-99 Highway will turn west onto KS-18 Highway/Zeandale Road and take it to Manhattan.
- Next, take KS-18 Highway onto KS-177/Highway 24.
- Lastly, take Highway 24 east-northeast back to Wamego.
The above detour is the same but in reverse for those trying to get around to the south of Wamego from the north, according to KDOT. Drivers should expect about 35-40 minutes of extra time on the road when following the detour route, according to Google Maps. You can view this planned road work project on KanDrive and learn about other upcoming road work projects in Kansas by calling 5-1-1.
The City of Wamego posted on social media on May 28 that drivers living in the city are encouraged to make use of local roads while this project is ongoing. Drivers who need to access KS-99 Highway can use Valley Street and Ash Street without having to exit Wamego.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf