Traffic switch on U.S. 69 expansion next week

The week of July 2 the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to switch head-to-head traffic to the newly completed two lanes along a one-mile section of the U.S. 69 expansion project in Bourbon County. The transition will occur on the south end of the project, where the speed limit will be reduced to 50 miles per hour.

The traffic switch is being made so that work can begin to rehabilitate the bridge and approaches on the existing two lanes. The overall U.S. 69 expansion will widen the highway to a four-lane upgradable expressway from Fort Scott south for six miles to the Bourbon-Crawford county line. Koss Construction Company of Topeka is the primary contractor at a cost of $21.7 million. The project is expected to be completed in late 2018.

KDOT reminds drivers to watch for the signs and reduce speed through the work zone. Persons with questions may contact Darrin Petrowsky at the KDOT Iola office, (620) 365-2161, or Priscilla Petersen at the Chanute KDOT office, (620) 902-6433.