The road to Baker has changed for students and staff coming from Interstate 35.
The Martin Creek Bridge on U.S. Highway 56 west of Edgerton is being replaced as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s bridge maintenance schedule, causing drivers to be rerouted along state Route 33.
Gary Walbridge, director of the physical plant, said he doubted most people even noticed the bridge.
“When you leave Edgerton heading west on 56, there’s a slight rise, and as you look to your right you’ll see a creek that meanders around and underneath the road,” he said. “The bridge is unnoticeable unless you notice the creek.”
Kimberly Qualls, KDOT public affairs officer, said the new bridge will have a wider driving surface and 10 feet shoulders.
Qualls said the bridge has a completion date estimated for late September or early October.
While the Martin Creek Bridge is being replaced, KDOT has a detour running east of Wellsville on Route 33 at exit 198 from I-35 until it meets U.S. Highway 56.
“The route is all on state highways and the state roadway system,” Qualls said. “We do not like to put extra traffic on city or county roadways because they maintain them and it comes out of their budgets.”
Financial Aid Adviser Darla Buckley lives in Wellsville and said that although state Route 33 is outside of the Wellsville city limits, she has noticed increased traffic on the highway.
Senior Derek Doerfler said he takes the detour two to three times a week on his way to Baker from Lee’s Summit, Mo.
“I was surprised the first time I took it,” he said. “I was going through Edgerton and had to turn around and come back.”
Doerfler said the detour at Wellsville adds an extra five to 10 minutes to his trip time.
Walbridge said he noticed no significant time difference.