The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District has announced a project to replace the spillway bridge deck over the dam’s emergency spillway at the east end of Tuttle Creek Dam, according to a press release.
The project, scheduled to begin in the late winter or early spring of 2017, is estimated to last 6-12 months, will result in the closure of Highway K-13 over the dam, and will affect right turns out of the east Riverpond State Park entrance onto Highway K-13.
“Detour plans are in place with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the closure of the K-13 roadway over the dam,” said Brian McNulty, Tuttle Creek Lake operations project manager. “The bridge closure will have motorists using K-16 Highway, U.S.-77 and U.S. 24 highways as the detour route.”
This is a full deck replacement for the nearly 60 year old bridge. The work will eliminate equipment covers and feature improved joint design, resulting in a smoother bridge deck upon completion.
Areas around Tuttle Creek Dam may experience construction and detour delays. Day use and camping facilities will remain available to the public during the bridge replacement. Fishing will continue to be available below the dam, however construction equipment will be in the area and visitors should be aware of the clearly marked construction areas. Boating will continue to be available on Tuttle Creek Lake. Both entrances to the parks downstream of the dam will remain open.
The bridge replacement will not affect the normal operation or the integrity of the dam. Plans are in place to allow time for the removal of construction personnel and equipment in the event of a high-water event that would require water releases from the emergency spillway. This spillway has been used only one time in the history of the lake, during flooding in the summer of 1993.
The USACE Kansas City District website will provide updated information on the progress of the project as it becomes available.
Traffic information will be available on the KDOT website at www.ksdot.org.
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