I-70 in downtown Topeka to fully close until December

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is warning drivers to plan ahead for a long-term interstate closure in Topeka.

Starting Monday, June 8, KDOT will close  all lanes of I-70 in downtown Topeka between Topeka Boulevard and 8th Avenue.

The I-70 closure will remain in place until December 2026.

The closure is part of a project to replace the I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct, which was built in the 1950s.

The designated detour will direct I-70 through traffic to I-470.

Drivers will still have access to the downtown Topeka area by taking the I-70 ramps at MacVicar Avenue, Topeka Boulevard, 8^th Avenue and 10^th Avenue.

Viaduct removal will begin Tuesday, June 9, causing additional temporary road closures on  Kansas Avenue, Topeka Boulevard and I-70.

See below for more.

• Tuesday, June 9, and Wednesday, June 10, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.: Kansas Avenue will be closed between 1^st and 3^rd streets. A detour will be marked on 3^rd Street, Topeka Boulevard and N.W. Morse Street.
• Friday, June 12, from 11 p.m. until Monday, June 15, at 4 a.m.: Topeka Boulevard will be closed between 1^st and 3^rd streets. Through traffic can follow the detour on 3^rd Street, Kansas Avenue and N.W. Morse Street. During this closure:
  • Southbound Topeka Boulevard will have access to the westbound I-70 on-ramp. Northbound Topeka Boulevard will be directed to 6^th Street and MacVicar Avenue to access westbound I-70. 
  • Eastbound I-70 will also be closed starting at MacVicar Avenue. Eastbound motorists can follow the local detour: MacVicar Avenue to 6^thAvenue to Topeka Boulevard to the 10^th Avenue I-70 on-ramp.