( KMZA ) - Beginning today ( Tuesday, August 14th ), traffic on U.S. 77 in Marshall County will be restricted to one lane across the Big Blue River bridge and throughout the project work zone so crews can complete tie-in work from the old roadway to the new roadway on the bridge replacement project.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says traffic will be directed through the work zone via temporary traffic signals located at either end of the project throughout the duration of the project.  In addition, signage and barriers will be used to guide traffic through the project work zone. Drivers should expect minor delays and are encouraged to allow extra time for their daily commutes.

In early August,  the bridge replacement project began on US-77 over the Big Blue River located one-half mile east of the city of Blue Rapids. 

The new bridge and realigned US-77 roadway are being built just east of the existing bridge and highway, along with the portion of K-9 that will be realigned to tie into the new roadway. 

The new US-77 bridge will be 40-foot wide, with two 12-foot lanes and 8-foot shoulders, providing more room for today’s wider vehicles and it will have shorter bridge railings as well. In addition, the project includes a deceleration lane for northbound drivers turning east onto K-9 and an acceleration lane for eastbound drivers on K-9 turning north onto US-77.

The new US-77 Big Blue River Bridge is scheduled to open to all traffic in late October , weather permitting. 

The old bridge is scheduled to be demolished in November and overall project work is scheduled to be completed in late December.