An ongoing overhaul of Stull Road is about to grow larger.

Douglas County officials intend to order a new coat of pavement for the entire length of a 2.3-mile stretch of Stull Road, from County Road 1029 to the Fox Run subdivision less than a mile east of Stull.

The section already is getting a $1.4 million upgrade. Construction started Aug. 26 to widen lanes, add shoulders and improve sight lines for drivers by trimming hills and filling dips.

Fresh pavement had been slated for only 0.8 of a mile of the road, but a new plan will give the remaining 1.5 miles a fresh new top, to smooth over an existing surface that shows cracks and other signs of deterioration.

The key for county taxpayers: The Kansas Department of Transportation has agreed to pick up 80 percent of the estimated $85,903 cost, using money from the federal government set aside for financing safety upgrades.

Douglas County will kick in up to $20,000 for the rest.

“It’s a fabulous deal for the citizens of Douglas County,” said Jere McElhaney, commission chairman. “It’s better than paying the entire $86,000. It’s a good deal for everybody involved.”

Stull Road, formally known as County Road 442, is a popular commuter route between Lawrence and Topeka. It carries about 3,600 vehicles per day.

The road will remain closed to through traffic during construction, expected to last into April. Last month, commissioners responded to complaints of speeding and increased traffic on adjacent gravel roads by posting new speed limits on East 400 Road and North 1700 Road.