Discovery Study in Osborne County, Kansas: Highway 24

KDOT Bridge 24-71-197.80 (026)

In 2022, KDOT selected Kirkham Michael to lead a multi-phase bridge replacement design project. The first phase was a detailed study to replace Bridge No. 24-71-197.80 (026) on US-24 over the Kyle Railroad in Osborne County, Kansas, which finished in October 2025. Design work is now in progress. If funding is available, construction could start in Fiscal Year 2027, but due to required environmental reviews, railroad coordination, and agency approvals, a start in Fiscal Year 2028 is more likely.

Bridge (026) was built in 1968 during a 2.5-mile upgrade between Downs and Cawker City. These improvements were needed after the Bureau of Reclamation built the Glen Elder Dam. US-24 had to be raised above the flood pool level of Glen Elder Reservoir, also known as Waconda Lake.

Bridge (026) was built over the Missouri Pacific Railroad, now called the Kyle Railroad, and is located at the beginning of the project. The City of Downs Diversion Drain was redirected, and an additional new Bridge (025) was added to carry both the drain outflow and the North Fork Solomon River under US-24. Today, both bridges and the corridor remain within the flood pool area of Waconda Lake.

The US-24 corridor between Downs and Cawker City is vital for both communities. People use it for daily commutes, business, farming, emergency services, and school trips between Lakeside Elementary in Cawker City and Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School in Downs. The existing bridge is exhibiting structural deficiencies and is desired to be replaced. If the bridge were to be closed, drivers would have to take a detour of more than 50 miles, which would be burdensome for residents, businesses, and travelers. Ensuring that traffic can be maintained during construction is a primary goal of this project.

The study identified five environmental and regulatory challenges in the project area: Six threatened or endangered species live in the county; possible wetlands and waters of the United States are present in the area; a flood protection levee west of Bridge (026) protects the City of Downs; two sites have aboveground and underground storage tanks; and there is prime farmland north of the project area.

Replacing the bridge will require close coordination with the Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the corridor, and the Kyle Railroad, a G&W Railroad subsidiary that leases and operates the line.

Six replacement options were developed and reviewed. Each option was evaluated for cost, ease of construction, environmental impact, effects on landowners, traffic control, and coordination with agencies. Four options were eliminated due to environmental concerns, operational issues, or excessive impact. Option #4 was selected as the preferred choice, and the Union Pacific has approved the basic plan. Option #4 proposes constructing a 3-span prestressed concrete beam bridge to the north of the existing bridge, allowing traffic to continue using US-24 throughout construction.

This study carefully considered structural, environmental, regulatory, and community needs to create a clear and responsible plan for replacing Bridge (026). The primary goal is to keep this important route open, while also protecting the local environment and flood-control systems.