KDOT to Replace California Avenue Bridge Over I‑70; Work Timed to Downtown I‑70 Closure in 2026

Topeka — Oct. 21, 2025 — Kansas Department of Transportation officials told the Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday that the California Avenue bridge over I‑70, built in the 1960s, has exceeded its useful life and will be replaced with a similar reinforced‑concrete slab bridge.

"Structures from the 19 sixties and has kinda exceeded its, usable life cycle. So, it's it's due to be replaced," KDOT project manager Greg Gonzales said. KDOT and consultant Bartlett said the project letting has been accelerated to January 2026 so construction can be coordinated with a planned Polk‑Quincy downtown I‑70 closure already scheduled for summer 2026.

Brian Armstrong of Bartlett described the construction sequence and traffic plan, saying the contractor will remove the existing bridge during a weekend closure and then build the new piers and superstructure. "Just in 1 weekend, the existing bridge is gonna be gone," Armstrong said, describing an early‑work weekend shutdown that will clear the existing span to allow bridge work to proceed.

KDOT and Bartlett said the replacement will generally follow the existing footprint but with a modest profile adjustment to provide additional clearance under I‑70 while avoiding large impacts to California Avenue approaches. Design changes include reconstruction of the north ramp terminal and an overlay of the south ramp terminal; the consultants said the main work occurs over the interstate.

The project includes pedestrian and aesthetic improvements intended to improve continuity of sidewalks and safety for people on foot. Design elements listed to the committee include black powder‑coated chain‑link fencing on the bridge sidewalk, a black powder‑coated bridge rail, and 11 30‑foot LED streetlight poles placed near the interchange and ramps to match recent city arterial lighting.

KDOT emphasized traffic management and coordination with the Polk‑Quincy contractor. When the downtown I‑70 closure occurs, through traffic will be routed to I‑470 and the Kansas Turnpike while the California Avenue work proceeds with ramp traffic carrying the temporary I‑70 flow through the interchange. KDOT said an extensive traffic management study informed the phasing and detour plans.

Council members asked about local impacts and adjacent projects. Councilwoman Amparo Ortiz noted neighborhood safety concerns and thanked staff for attention to pedestrian lighting. KDOT staff said they had held a public meeting in August (about 14 stakeholders and 17 members of the public attended) and plan a joint open house with the Polk‑Quincy project in January or February 2026 after a contractor is selected for California.

The presentation included a January 2026 letting and an all‑in construction schedule for calendar year 2026. KDOT said the design accommodates possible future I‑70 widening.

The committee heard no motion or formal vote tied to the presentation; staff said the project will proceed through regular letting and contracting processes.