The Kansas Department of Transportation is set to begin a mill and overlay project on U.S. 56 in Barton and Rice counties on or around Aug. 6.

The project is from the east city limits of Ellinwood to the west city limits of Lyons, a little less than 19 miles.

Motorists should be aware of delays of up to 15 minutes as one-lane traffic will be directed by flaggers and a pilot car through the work zone.

Venture Corp., of Great Bend, is the contractor on the $3.5 million project, which is expected to be completed by the end of September, conditions permitting.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1773709326896.jpeg" alt="KDOT - South Central Kansas" />
 <figcaption>KDOT - South Central Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATONThe Kansas Department of Transportation is set to begin a mill and overlay project on U.S. 56 in Barton and Rice counties on or around Aug. 6.The project is from the east city limits of Ellinwood to the west city limits of Lyons, a little less than 19 miles.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/8/1785768536581.jpeg" alt="Map courtesy Kansas Department of Transportation.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Map courtesy Kansas Department of Transportation.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Motorists should be aware of delays of up to 15 minutes as one-lane traffic will be directed by flaggers and a pilot car through the work zone.Venture Corp., of Great Bend, is the contractor on the $3.5 million project, which is expected to be completed by the end of September, conditions permitting.KDOT urges motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and refrain from hand-held mobile device use in all active work zones.

US 56 project to begin later this week