Topeka ? In response to a fatal crossover traffic accident, the state transportation department on Friday announced approval of a bid to install cable median barriers along Kansas Highway 10 in Douglas and Johnson counties.

“It is being put out there for safety,” said Kim Qualls, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The project entails installing 2.3 miles of cable barrier in the median on K-10 near Eudora, and 2 miles of cable barrier near the K-10 and Kansas Highway 7 junction in Johnson County.

Gray Beal Construction Co. of Topeka has been awarded the $1.15 million project. Construction is expected to start in mid-August and be completed in late November.

In May 2011, Gov. Sam Brownback ordered the formation of a committee of citizens, elected officials and KDOT officials to look at how to improve safety along the K-10 corridor.

That was prompted by the April 2011 death of 5-year-old Cainan Shutt when an impaired driver crossed the median and struck the minivan driven by Cainan’s grandfather.

Earlier this year, Cainan’s mother, Ali Shutt, was honored by KDOT for her work in getting the agency to approve the cable barriers.

KDOT spokeswoman Qualls urged motorists to be careful while workers are installing the barriers.

She said there may be times during construction when a lane is shut down briefly but that most of the work will be confined to the median and shoulders.