By SALINA POST
Those who have had to endure the closing of part of S. Simpson Road will have to do so a while longer.
In an update issued today, the Saline County Road and Bridge Department announced that S. Simpson Road between E. Magnolia Road and E. Crawford Street will remain closed despite the fact that the roadway looks to be nearly complete.
That portion of S. Simpson Road was closed May 6 due to a federally funded project to improve the S. Simpson Road right-of-way.
According to the department, all phases of the construction are complete with the exception of the aggregate shoulder.
"The contractor responsible for installing the aggregate shoulder is having difficulty obtaining the trucks and truck drivers to deliver the shoulder material from the rock quarry to the project. Therefore, the project which appears to be mostly complete, will remain closed to through traffic until the remaining work can be completed due to the drop off at the edge of the driving lane," the department noted.
The road closure barricades at E. Magnolia Road and E. Crawford Street close that part of S. Simpson Road to all through traffic. Emergency traffic and travelers whose destinations are located within the project area may continue to use the access from E. Crawford Street.
"We understand the public’s frustration with the road being closed and not seeing any construction activity. However, we are asking for the public’s patience as we wait for the shouldering work to be completed and open the road to traffic," the department noted.
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