Woodie Seat Freeway Reopens, Marking Major Milestone for Hutchinson and Reno County

Woodie Seat Freeway ribbon cutting Tuesday morning.

The Woodie Seat Freeway officially reopened to traffic Tuesday, June 30, marking a major milestone for Hutchinson, Reno County, and the broader region that depends on the corridor for transportation, commerce, and connectivity.

City leaders, Reno County representatives, project partners, staff, contractors, and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of one of Hutchinson’s most important transportation corridors. Following the ceremony at 11 a.m., RoadSafe began removing barricades, officially reopening the roadway to traffic.

Hutchinson Council Member Greg Fast, left, holds the speech as Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas talks about the Woodie Seat Freeway opening Tuesday morning. Traffic goes across the Woodie Seat Freeway Tuesday morning.Traffic goes across the Woodie Seat Freeway Tuesday morning.

City of Hutchinson Manager Enrico Villegas said the project represents much more than concrete, pavement, and traffic control plans.

“Today, we are here to recognize the importance of the Woodie Seat Freeway for Hutchinson and Reno County, and the broader region we serve,” Villegas said. “In local government, if people are gathering to celebrate a road project, you know it must be an important one.”

Villegas described the freeway as a major thoroughfare for commerce, transportation, and the safe and efficient movement of traffic through the community.

“It supports residents trying to get where they need to go, businesses trying to move goods and serve customers, and the regional economy that depends on strong infrastructure,” Villegas said. “This corridor matters in a very real and practical way.”

The Woodie Seat Freeway also serves as one of the major gateways into Hutchinson, creating an important first impression for residents, visitors, and businesses entering the community.

“As all of us know, first impressions matter,” Villegas said. “It is good that the first impression says, ‘Welcome to Hutchinson,’ and not, ‘Good luck.’”

The project is the largest capital project the City of Hutchinson has undertaken, making its reopening a significant accomplishment for the community. Villegas said projects of this size require vision, planning, persistence, and strong partnerships.

Reno County was recognized for partnering with the City of Hutchinson on phase one of the project.

“That partnership has been essential,” Villegas said. “When the city and county work together with a shared commitment to the public good, we can deliver results that benefit the entire region. This project is a strong example of what cooperation and shared investment can accomplish.”

Retired Reno County Public Works Director Don Brittain said, “I’m glad Reno County and the City of Hutchinson could work together to make this happen. Partnerships like this are how you make progress.”

Villegas also recognized Jeff Schenk, now serving as South Hutchinson City Administrator, for helping start the project during his time with the City of Hutchinson. He also thanked current and former Hutchinson City Council members, City staff, Public Works and Utilities employees, project partners, and contractors for their work in bringing the project to completion.

Kansas Concrete was highlighted for its work on the project and for its role as a local contractor.

“There is something powerful about local investing in local,” Villegas said. “It means this project was not just built in Hutchinson. It was built with Hutchinson.”

Greg Fast, Hutchinson City Council 

Hutchinson City Council Member Greg Fast, who represents the district, also spoke during the ceremony. Fast said the reopened freeway will benefit commerce and local businesses, including farmers and producers moving goods through the area. He also thanked residents in Hutchinson and South Hutchinson for their patience during the project.

Fast noted that additional improvements are planned in the area, including landscaping and possible public art or visual features to help create a stronger gateway into Hutchinson.

Cecil Weible, City of Hutchinson Public Works Director

Public Works Director Cecil Weible said the project was already underway when he stepped into his current role, and he credited City staff, contractors, consultants, and community partners for helping complete such a large undertaking.

“It has definitely been a big project for somebody stepping into a new position to take charge of,” Weible said. “I want to really thank all of my staff in public works, engineering, street department, fleet, utilities, parks department — everybody has been part of this.”

Weible also recognized Reno County, South Hutchinson, contractors, and consultants who contributed to the project, including JEO Consulting Group, WSP, Kansas Concrete, Wildcat, and APAC.

“I really just want to appreciate everybody that has come forward and helped with this,” Weible said. “I’m really thankful for the patience of the neighborhood. I’ve come to know quite a few of them very well, and they’ve been great to work with.”

The reopening also ends temporary traffic changes at the Avenue F and Main Street intersection. With the roadway reopened, Main Street will once again be the through street, eastbound and westbound traffic on Avenue F will return to stop sign control, and the Woodie Seat detour will be removed.

The project is substantially complete, with only a few final punch-list items remaining. A short section of guardrail and one light pole, to be installed by Evergy, are expected to be completed within the next week. That work will require a temporary lane closure but will not impact the reopening of the freeway.

The ceremony ended with the official ribbon cutting, followed by City staff and equipment driving across the roadway to help “break in” the newly reopened freeway.

Villegas said the project reflects Hutchinson’s willingness to invest in its future and work with partners on projects that support the long-term strength of the community and region.

“This project says that Hutchinson is willing to invest in itself, willing to work with partners, and willing to make decisions that support the future,” Villegas said. “The Woodie Seat Freeway project may be complete, but Hutchinson’s future is still under construction.”