A section of U.S. Highway 56 in Johnson County will reopen later today when a bridge reconstruction project is completed.

Since mid-July, the highway was closed just west of Edgerton. The project included removal of a reinforced-concrete frame bridge and construction of a single-span bridge over Martin Creek.

The new bridge has a wider deck driving surface and improved waterway capacity under the bridge. King Construction Co. was the primary contractor on the $688,600 replacement project.

The bridge and highway will reopen this afternoon, weather permitting, the Kansas Department of Transportation said.