A crack seal repair project began Friday on a 23.03-mile stretch of U.S. 73 from the north city limits of Horton in Brown County to the Kansas/Nebraska state line (excluding the portion of highway through the city limits of Hiawatha).

Project work includes the filling of cracks in the roadway pavement with an-asphalt like sealer to protect the pavement from damage caused by excessive moisture and debris.

Work will take place during daylight hours, Monday through Friday, with some occasional Saturday work. The work will be coordinated so that all lanes will be opened to traffic by one-half hour before sunset.

Northbound and southbound U.S. 73 were be reduced to ONE OPEN LANE as of Friday for both directions, in several mile increments, beginning at the north city limits of Horton as crews will head north in one lane to the state line and then return south in the remaining lane to the north city limits of Horton.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane for both directions along with intermittent closures of adjacent cross roads during the project work hours. Traffic will be directed through the project work zone via a pilot car and flagger operation. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes maximum and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible.

The Kansas Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and “Give ‘Em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through the project work zone.

Scodeller Construction, Inc. (Lee’s Summit, MO) is the primary contractor on this crack seal project with a total contract cost of $229,539. Overall project work is scheduled to be completed in May 2015, weather permitting.