Friday, August 25, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
7
For comments, contact Lori O'Toole at 864-4810 or e-mail editor@kansan.com
Major events bring traffic
The Associate Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Any other weekend, a college football game, truck races and a music concert would be the formula for fun.
Put them all on the same day and in a 75-mile radius on a crowded turnpike and you have the formula for gridlock.
That's what Kansas Turnpike Authority officials are bracing for this weekend as major events collide head-on with road construction on the key northeast Kansas artery.
The three events are the Kansas State-Iowa football game at Arrowhead Stadium and 'yallapalooa 2000 country music concert at Sandstone Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, both Saturday afternoon. Race fans will gather at Heartland Park Topeka the same day for Truckstock 2000.
Motorists are being warned to expect rush-hour-style traffic between Lawrence and Topeka and near the Bonner Springs interchange. Both areas are under major
reconstruction.
"If everything goes normally, we should be able to handle all the traffic through the construction zone without any trouble," said Lisa Callahan, director of public relations for the Turnpike Authority. "But if there is any trouble, like a flat tire or a car overheats, that is what will cause us some problems."
The biggest potential bottleneck is near construction of the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Traffic is down to one lane east and west on Interstate 70 for about two miles between 118th Street and Interstate 435. The highway is being widened to handle traffic at the speedway starting next summer.
Also, five miles between Lawrence and Topeka are reduced to one lane for road reconstruction.
"Those events will put a large number of people on the road at a similar time," said Kim Stich, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Transportation. "If you wait to leave closer to the starting time of the events, you could get caught in
More information
Additional information about how Kansas City is preparing for the large crowds expected for the Kansas State-lowa football game.
See page 5B
traffic."
The turnpike authority and Kansas Highway Patrol each plan additional patrols to alleviate potential snafus.
"But once traffic stops, it takes a while to get it started moving again," Callahan said.
Highway officials don't know how many vehicles will be on the roadway.
"If all the traffic comes at once, you will have a problem." Callahan said.
About 45,000 Kansas State fans are expected to converge on Arrowhead, said Carol Adolph, the school's athletic ticket manager.
Christiane Miles, theater manager for Sandstone, said an expected crowd of 14,000 was encouraged to take any road but I-70.
Gas leak likely cause of blast
The Associated Press
RUSSELL — Investigators said a natural gas leak in the basement of the municipal power plant was the likely cause of an explosion that destroyed the plant and left 5,000 people in the dark.
Stan Morton, an investigator for the Kansas Gas Service, said yesterday morning that a leak in a connection inside the Russell plant was the likely culprit. But it may be several weeks before investigators can pinpoint the source of the leak.
A series of explosions just before midnight Wednesday destroyed the power plant, which was built around 1920. Two workers were burned and in serious but stable condition at a Wichita hospital.
Wayne Grabbe, Russell County spokesman, said the first blast was around 11:50 p.m.
"We had three explosions, and flames were 75 to 100 feet in the air," Grabbe said. "It burned most of the roof off the building."
Much of Russell was without power after the blast. Eight central Kansas fire departments helped to bring the blaze under control around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, and power was restored an hour later after the city arranged to connect to West Plains Energy in Great Bend, about 35 miles away.
Two plant workers from Russell suffered burns and were flown to a Wichita hospital. Jim Hlaus, 55, had burns on his arms and hands but was listed in good condition. Craig
Sanford, 43. was burned on much of his upper body and was in serious condition. Grabbe said.
An investigation was under way yesterday morning.
"There is still a structure, but it's pretty badly beat up." Grabbe said.
"The explosion must have been massive."
The plant, built mainly of brick and steel, was renovated in the late 1980s, Unrein said. Twelve to 15 employees will be out of work for more than a year while the plant is rebuilt.
Arlin Unrein, Russell public works director, said city officials were meeting yesterday morning to discuss rebuilding options. He estimated the cost at $10 million to $20 million to rebuild, which should be covered by insurance.
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