Repairs continue on U.S. 73 in northeast Kansas after drain pipe collapse creates crater

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Photo from Trooper Don, via Twitter, Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Don Hughes

Traffic south of Atchison, Kansas has been slowed after a drain pipe failed, creating a huge hole in a southbound lane of U.S. 73, about six miles south of Atchison.

The Kansas Department of Transportation reports the pipe failure created a large hole in one of the southbound lanes, about eight feet deep and nearly five feet wide Monday evening. KDOT closed the southbound lanes of Highway 73 to make repairs.

Highway crews Tuesday began replacing the pipe, first working on the southbound lanes of Highway 73. They now have moved to the northbound lanes.

KDOT expects the Highway 73 to be fully repaired by the end of the week.