Douglas County commissioners intend to support a route for a new freeway between Lawrence and rural Ottawa, and they’re asking for advice before deciding which way to go.

Commissioners will invite public comment Wednesday regarding the state’s plans to build a four-lane freeway east of U.S. Highway 59: either 300 feet or a mile east of the existing alignment.

	Wednesday: Douglas County Commission accepts public input regarding plans for building a new freeway from Lawrence to rural Ottawa, east of U.S. Highway 59. Meeting begins at 6:35 p.m. at Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.May 20: Commission approves recommendation to be sent to Kansas Department of Transportation.May 30: Deadline for public comments regarding project’s draft environmental impact statement.Summer: KDOT releases final environmental impact statement, accepts public comment.By Dec. 31: Federal Highway Administration endorses KDOT’s decision about where highway should be built.Spring 2007: Contractor hired to build highway.Late 2009: New highway opens to traffic.

Commissioners already have said they support the freeway concept, considered the best and most efficient way to cut accident rates and handle increased traffic loads. Now the only question is which route to recommend to the Kansas Department of Transportation, which is coordinating the project.

“We don’t get to choose the alignment,” Commissioner Charles Jones said. “We get an opportunity to provide our input.”

Wednesday’s commission meeting begins at 6:35 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass. The U.S. 59 discussion is the only topic scheduled for public input.

When commissioners set up the public-comment opportunity last week, they said they wanted to hear from anyone concerned about the project. Commissioners said they were inclined to support the freeway plans but would be willing to listen to people advocating various road designs or routes.

Commissioners also said they likely would end Wednesday’s meeting with an informal decision about which freeway option to recommend to the state. The recommendation would be formally approved during the commission’s 9 a.m. meeting May 20, in time to meet the state’s May 30 deadline for public input.

A draft environmental impact statement compiled by KDOT recommends building the freeway along one of two routes, each of which would run parallel to the existing highway:

300 feet to the east, which would displace 33 residences and eight businesses. The freeway would cost about $210.3 million when built in 2007, and require acquisition of about 960 acres of new right of way and affect 882.8 acres of prime farmland.

A mile to the east, which would displace 11 residences and two businesses. It would cost about $199.4 million in 2007, and require acquisition of about 970 acres of new right of way and affect 869 acres of prime farmland.

Also on the agenda for Wednesday’s commission meeting:

Proclaim Sunday through May 18 “Police Week,” and Wednesday as “Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.”

Approve a resolution allowing the use of fireworks during the Grant School Four Decades Celebration.