6th Avenue construction complete

he project involved widening SW 6th Avenue from two lanes to three, as well as improving curbs, gutters and the roundabout at 6th and Wanamaker. It also involved adding sidewalks on both sides of the road, including a 10-foot-wide general use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“Completion of this project paves the way for improving Topeka’s streets,” said Jason Peek, Topeka Public Works Director.

The first phase of the project – from Fairlawn to east of the Interstate 70 bridge – was under construction from July 6, 2015, through Oct. 30, 2015. The second phase – Wanamaker to west of the I-70 bridge – began March 7, 2016. According to its contract, the road had to be finished by Oct. 14 and substantially completed by Sept. 30. The only remaining work will be to complete sodding around the sidewalks.

Schmidtlein Excavating was the contractor for the project. The project cost to date is $3.1 million from the citywide half-cent sales tax