Multiple Topeka Blvd. closures scheduled within next four years

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The city is kicking off a string of construction projects on one of Topeka's busiest streets.

The city says it's heard the public's feedback and is about to take action. It will do so in phases. Starting this week, crews will shut down 45th Street and Topeka Boulevard. to add a left turn lane.

Later this year, two more projects will take place along Topeka Blvd., including mill and overlay from 21st Street to 29th Street, as well as a complete reconstruction of the Topeka Boulevard and 21st Street intersection.

The city acknowledges this will be a busy year, but says it's the most efficient way to fix this stretch of road.

“Topeka Blvd is a major arterial in the city of Topeka, it carries a huge amount of traffic," Public Works director Braxton Copley said. "We've heard loud and clear their complaints on the pavement condition on Topeka Blvd. That's why we have all of these projects planned over the course of the next four years to be able to improve that pavement."

2024 holds just the first of many projects. The city tells 27 News it has three more projects on Topeka Blvd. lined up through 2028. This could cost around $200 million according to the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).