The Executive Director of the Kimball-Banner County Chamber of Commerce says he welcomes the paving phase of the Kimball bypass, which will begin next week.

The Department of Roads will close the I-80 interchange east of Kimball after July 6th to construct the connection for the new Highway 71 Bypass and so the actual paving on the 11 mile bypass can begin later in July.

Rod Orton says when the project is completed, either later this fall or next spring, it should help clear the downtown area of unnecessary through traffic.

Orton says "it's up to the chamber to make sure tourists know how to get downtown" and the appropriate signs will be in place once the bypass is completed to point them in the right direction.

During construction of the bypass, the only I-80 access to Kimball will be from the Highway 71 Interchange. Link L53e will also be closed at the same time. The Kimball Campground can be accessed via Highway 30, and the Kimball Golf Course can be reached by using County Road 45 off of Highway 30.