A bridge replacement project scheduled to begin this week in Osage County will close a portion of state Highway 170 near Reading, Kan.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has announced the bridge that spans the Marais Des Cygnes River approximately 1.5 miles east of Reading will be replaced in the project that is expected to be completed by July 2022.

During the project, K-170 will be closed at the worksite and posted detours will direct traffic to use state Highway 99 and U.S. Highway 56. Drivers should expect delays of up to 40 minutes by following the detour. Work will take place Monday through Saturday, during daylight hours.

A.M. Cohron & Sons Inc., of Atlantic, Iowa, is the contractor on the $3.5 million project.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. For more information about Kansas road construction projects, see www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1.