Aug. 1, 2001 (Release 01-100)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Contact: Kim Stich, (785) 296-3585

Work far from over on East Topeka Interchange

The new East Topeka Interchange will be open to traffic today, but the project is far from complete. This fall, a major landscaping project will begin along the new roadways that will take more than a year to complete. This landscaping project is one of the largest planting projects ever undertaken. Since some areas are inaccessible to mow, there will be numerous naturalized areas to help reduce maintenance needs and add beauty to the area. Native grasses such as Little Blue Stem, Big Blue Stem and Side Oats Gramma as well as wildflowers including Grey Headed Coneflower, Pale Purple Coneflower and Purple Prairie Clover will be used throughout the project. Trees will be planted in several areas including along Rice Road and shrubs will be planted in the middle of the roundabouts. The landscaping project will not affect traffic, but motorists are asked to use extra caution throughout the new interchange as highway workers and contractors will be working near the roadways.