MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Drivers are being warned to expect delays and increased amounts of traffic on I-70 this weekend as Kansas State University kicks off its football season in Manhattan.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) are both posting warnings head of K-State's home football game against UT-Martin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Bill Snyder Stadium. The game is expected to increase the number of drivers on the road on Saturday, putting a greater amount of stress on an area near ongoing road work projects.
Ashley Perez with KDOT announced in a press release on Thursday, Aug. 29 that drivers should expect delays in Geary County due to a pavement replacement project along a four-mile section of I-70 in Junction City. This is between Washington Street/Exit 296 and K-57/Exit 300.
Drivers will be moved into the eastbound lanes of traffic on the highway for both directions in this work zone with traffic being brought down to one lane apiece. Lower speed limits will contribute to slower traffic throughout this area.
Perez said this two-lane configuration of the highway will remain in place until work is completed in November. The entire project on I-70 for this area is not slated to be finished until December 2025.
Two major crashes have occurred in this area on I-70 recently which resulted in traffic deaths. A Fort Riley soldier was killed in a head-on crash with a semi-truck on Aug. 2 while a 72-year-old Junction City man was killed in another crash on Aug. 5.
KHP trooper Ben Gardner also posted a warning to social media on Aug. 29 about challenges people will face as game day approaches. He encourages drivers, especially K-State fans, to get north of I-70 as early as possible and enter the Little Apple from Highway 24 to get around delays and avoid traffic congestion.
"While K-18 often experiences rolling congestion near the Manhattan city limits, the most significant concern this year is the traffic on I-70 near Junction City. With ongoing construction causing a single lane for eastbound motorists, we expect substantial traffic buildup. This could lead to extended delays, stoppages, and, unfortunately, potential crashes.
In addition to delays, we’ve seen rear-end crashes occur due to distracted driving or lack of attention to the traffic ahead. Risky behaviors like passing on shoulders or cutting off other motorists in the construction zone only increase the danger. These actions heighten the conflict with other drivers, especially in the single lane of eastbound traffic."
KHP trooper Ben Gardner
Gardner said people should leave hours in advance, be patient and expect to drive slowly as they approach Manhattan to enjoy the game safely. For up-to-date traffic information, call 511 or go to kandrive.gov.
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