Some critics of a comprehensive highway needs study are concerned about what the study didn't address; others are hopeful some of the proposed projects won't become reality.
While a Kansas City-Topeka corridor transportation study released last week paints a detailed picture of the region's potential highway network in 25 years, it's not an optimistic vision for many area residents.
Particularly concerned are residents in southern Jefferson County, who are opposed to one of the study's options: extending U.S. Highway 24 from Perry to Tonganoxie, cutting through miles of farmland.
"Yeah, I wish it would go away," said Sarah Dean, co-chair of the Jefferson Task Force, a citizens group that favors improving existing roads. "But I imagine the (Jefferson) county commissioners wish it were more definite."
Results of the Kaw Connects Major Corridor Study were unveiled for the public last week at meetings with maps and a computer slide presentation.
While some residents, such as Dean, are concerned about concepts in the study, others like what they see. Still others, like Lawrence Mayor Erv Hodges, questioned what the study didn't address.
The study looks at six counties in a 2,200-square-mile area. Lawrence lies near the center of the area.
The Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Turnpike Authority are sponsoring the study at a cost of $1.28 million.
In addition to the proposed connection between Perry and Tonganoxie, the study recommends the following: an extension from U.S. Highway 24 to the Kansas Turnpike near Lecompton, a new four-lane highway between Lawrence and Topeka south of Interstate 70, and the widening of the Kansas Turnpike and Kansas Highway 10 to six lanes.
South Lawrence Trafficway
Some of about 200 people who attended a public hearing on the study last week questioned an item that it didn't include: the proposed expansion and/or realignment of U.S. Highway 59 south of Lawrence.
"That was one of the things that I noticed right away," said Lawrence Mayor Erv Hodges.
And, he said, "of all the maps, there are only two where (the eastern leg of) the South Lawrence Trafficway isn't shown."
Hodges said that if the SLT isn't completed, U.S. 59 could play a major role in traffic south of Lawrence.
"Without the South Lawrence Trafficway, I think we have to look at 59 to solve some of those problems, and I don't think they took that into consideration.
"If the SLT isn't built, it's likely that 59 would split somewhere south of the Wakarusa (River) and link up with K-10" in eastern Douglas County, Hodges said.
In that scenario, "59 would essentially become the South Lawrence Trafficway."
Barry Rolle, vice president of HDR Engineering Inc. of Kansas City, Mo., the firm that conducted the study, said U.S. 59 wasn't included for two reasons.
The first, he said, is because KDOT already is conducting its own study on expansion and/or realignment of the road.
Also, Rolle said, his study was primarily concerned with east-west routes.
However, during a public presentation, Rolle said that if the SLT is completed, there may not be a need for "connector" routes between U.S. Highway 24 and Kansas Highway 10 east of Lawrence.
"These connectors would essentially be in competition with the trafficway, if it is completed," he said.
Bruce Plenk, an environmental attorney and opponent of the SLT, said HDR had done some good work in modeling the future.
But he added, "It's a little disappointing they've removed light rail or commuter rail as a transportation option. They also haven't addressed " the relationship of the SLT to the proposals."
Lecompton and the Kaw
In addition to opposing the proposed Perry-to-Tonganoxie extension of U.S. 24, the Jefferson Task Force opposes extending U.S. Highway 59, from its junction with U.S. 24 at Williamstown, to Interstate 70 .
That's just fine with Lecompton Mayor Roy Paslay, who wants to see an extension from U.S. 24 through his town to I-70 instead.
Lecompton is working with private developer J. Stewart, who is proposing to build as many as 2,000 homes and increase the size of the city significantly.
"We want it to come through; we've been asking for it," Paslay said.
However, questions remain about the existing Lecompton bridge over the Kansas River, which is jointly maintained by Douglas and Jefferson counties.
If a four-lane highway were built from Perry to I-70, would the state need to take over responsibility for an expanded bridge?
It's a possibility, Rolle said.
"When you look at this option, you have to consider improvements to the existing bridge," he said.
Extending U.S. 59 south to I-70 through Williamstown would require a new bridge across the Kansas River.
According to public input throughout the study, which began in April 1998, people want more Kansas River crossings, Rolle said.
'Far in the future'
State Rep. Joann Flower, R-Oskaloosa, whose district includes southern Jefferson County and parts of eastern Douglas County, said she's aware of opposition to the proposed Perry-to-Tonganoxie extension.
"I still favor " being as unobtrusive as possible," she said. "A lot of my constituents are very concerned about this proposal.
"I'm sure they're (HDR) looking at it from an engineers' perspective."
No funds have been allocated for any of the concepts outlined in the Kaw Connects study, and none have been included in the state's highway system enhancement program, said Jim Tobaben, KDOT transportation bureau chief.
However, projects in the study eventually could be included, he said.
Not all residents are disappointed or concerned about the study.
Some, like Tonganoxie City Administrator Chris Eppley, are pleased.
Under proposals in the study, Tonganoxie could enjoy an economic boom through new connections to Perry, Interstate 70 and Kansas Highway 10.
"I think that's excellent, actually," he said. "I know that it's going to be a difficult journey, trying to get those included into the highway enhancement program.
"But we are moving at full steam and trying to get that completed."
Flower said a lot can change in the next several years, including people's concerns.
"It seems like it's a long time in the future to me," she said. "As the population increases and traffic increases, people may change their attitudes."
-- Michael Dekker's phone message number is 832-7187. His e-mail address is mdekker@ljworld.com.
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