West Washington Avenue closed between 4th, 5th streets

Street repairs expected to take at least two weeks; detour available via Fifth Avenue

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (June 28, 2021) — Starting immediately, West Washington Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Fourth and Fifth streets due to a collapsed stormwater culvert under the road that requires repairs.

Public Services Superintendent Tony Tapia said emergency repair work commenced on June 28, as soon as the problem was discovered.

Westbound traffic will be detoured north on Fourth Street to West Fifth Avenue, which will allow vehicles to continue west on Fifth Avenue, around Paris Park and the Agri-Business Building, back to Washington Avenue at Sixth or Seventh streets. Eastbound traffic can follow the same route, in reverse.

“We ask that drivers slow down and pay close attention while detouring, as this detour will go past Paris Park Pool, the park and the Ag Building during the busy pool season,” said City Manager Randy Frazer. “Also, IYQ Camp resumes next week, so there will be lots of kids in the area to watch out for.”

The Public Services Department’s Street and Stormwater Division will work as quickly as possible to repair Washington Avenue, Tapia said, but he estimated repairs to the base and surface will take at least two weeks. This detour will be in effect throughout that entire period, until the roadway can be reopened.

For questions about this repair work, please call the Public Services shop at (620) 441-4460.