A bridge repair project on the southbound K-7 bridge spanning the Kansas River in Wyandotte County was scheduled to begin Wednesday.
   The project includes the replacement of expansion joints on the bridge deck, replacement of the approach pavement and a polymer overlay on the bridge deck, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.
   Work will take place daily, Monday through Friday (with an occasional Saturday) during daylight hours.
   Repair work will be completed in two phases. The first phase work will shift traffic to the right lane while repairs are made to the left lane.  Then in the second phase work will shift traffic to the left lane while repairs are made to the right lane.  During the second phase, the K-32 to southbound K-7 ramp will be closed.  A marked detour will be provided.  Traffic will detour on K-32 to northbound K-7 to Nettleton Avenue and then back south on K-7.
   Advance message boards will alert traffic to the lane closures.  Drivers should expect delays and allow extra time for their daily commutes.  Updated daily lane closure information for this bridge repair project can be viewed online at: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp. 
   PCI Roads, LLC is the primary contractor on this $852,543 bridge repair project.  The scheduled completion date for the first phase is mid-October and for the entire bridge repair project is late November 2010.
   The Kansas Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and slow down when approaching and driving through the project work zone.