(MANHATTAN, Kan. – September 19, 2022) — The City of Manhattan’s ongoing Kansas River and Big Blue River levee construction project will soon progress to a new stage, resulting in a large increase in heavy equipment traffic and building materials within the existing construction zone of the levee.

For public safety, the levee — including the Linear Trail and areas from the levee to the riverbeds — has been restricted since construction began in February.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, September 26, criminal trespass violations in the restricted levee construction area will be enforced for the safety of the public and workers. Entering the restricted area could lead to arrest and prosecution.

While the entire levee and Linear Trail system from South Manhattan Avenue all the way north to Casement Road and Hayes Drive has been restricted since construction began, there have been reports of people continuing to access the Linear Trail since its closure. This intense period of upcoming construction will continue throughout the remainder of the project into 2024 and failure to stay out of restricted areas will be increasingly hazardous.

“We have been working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the contractors involved in this major effort. This area will be signed appropriately along the hazardous area to clearly establish the ‘No Trespassing’ boundary,” said Assistant City Manager Jared Wasinger.

“We understand how much the public values access to the levee, rivers, and trail, but we need to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and workers in the area through a full closure.”

In addition, the City will begin conducting a cleanup and removal effort along the entirety of the levee, to the edge of both the Kansas and Big Blue rivers.

Any personal belongings from posted encampments found during this process will be removed and temporarily stored.

During the cleanup process, any garbage, trash, metal, pallets, rigid plastics, wood building materials, appliances, furniture, other bulky items, and hazardous, biohazardous, or unsanitary materials will be disposed of properly.

The parking lot and boat ramp at the Blue River Access Area will remain open to the public throughout this construction period.

Questions regarding the Manhattan levee project and trail closures can be directed to Bill Heatherman at bill.heatherman@cityofmhk.com. Information about alternate biking and walking trails throughout Manhattan can be found at www.cityofmhk.com/bikemap.

Detail of restricted trespass areas (north, central and south) below: