I-70 travel plaza utilities, grading nearly done

The nation’s economic turmoil from the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down development on the western edge of Hays of a 40-acre deluxe travel plaza.

But Doug Hutchinson, the developer’s representative, on Thursday told the Hays City Commission at its regular meeting that “Things are moving along.”

Water and sewer utilities are about 75% done. Crews from Hess Services Inc. of Hays, have been laying sewer and water line. 

The line extends from existing lines at 41st Street. Work crews on Friday were nearly ready to bore underneath Interstate-70 to the development site at the northwest edge of Hays at I-70 Exit 157.

“We’ll come underneath I-70 and hook under their spine or trunk and that’ll touch every lot,” Hutchinson said. “Each new tenant will pull from there.”

Grading on the development site is about 85% done, he said.

Pandemic upside

The developers, D&J Land and…