Those who understand that major new roads will be important for Lawrence to continue its growth now have another project – in addition to the South Lawrence Trafficway – to keep an eye on.

Planning is progressing for a new Kansas Turnpike interchange near Tonganoxie. The interchange will be about eight miles east of Lawrence. Already there has been criticism by some Lawrence city commissioners that the interchange is too far east to meet our city’s transportation needs.

Lawrence commissioners probably need to let that argument go. It appears Lawrence leaders have come to this party a bit late, and lobbying for a change now likely will be wasted breath.

Instead, what Douglas County leaders now need to focus on is the cross-country road that will someday be built to connect the interchange with Kansas Highway 10 to the south. This project is shaping up to be a classic contest pitting Douglas County against Johnson County – that is, if Douglas County leaders can muster the cooperation and resources to field an effort. Otherwise, it will be a one-sided affair because there is little question that Johnson County will have their ducks in a row to attract this potentially valuable road.

It appears the options for the cross-country road will be either to run it east of Eudora through Johnson County to connect with the area near the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, which is expected to redevelop into a sizable community, or the road could run west of Eudora to tie into Lawrence’s growth.

It is abundantly clear that Lawrence and Douglas County’s economy stands to gain much with the latter option. It also is realistic to believe that Douglas County could win the project. We essentially have a ready-made interchange already built for the road. That would be the interchange of Kansas Highway 10 and County Route 1057, which is just east of the current Lawrence city limits. And Douglas County could rightfully argue that placing the road there would do more immediate good than it would near the Sunflower plant. A Douglas County route would immediately spur new growth in an established industrial area – such as the East Hills Business Park – and would immediately help Lawrence move forward on the important statewide goal of establishing a thriving bioscience center. The Sunflower project will be an exciting one, but it will take much time to develop.

But if Douglas County has any hopes to land the road project, it will take tremendous teamwork. Because either route will require a new bridge over the Kansas River – which will cost tens of millions of dollars – state and federal funding will be a necessity. It is hoped that Lawrence and Douglas County leaders soon will have serious discussions with Eudora leaders and commissioners in Leavenworth County to form a strong coalition to lobby for a Douglas County route.

It also would be helpful if members of Douglas County’s environmental community could throw their support behind the road. That would send a clear, early message that this road will not suffer from the same controversies that have surrounded the South Lawrence Trafficway. In many ways, this could be one of the road’s greater benefits. It would show the rest of the state that Lawrence is indeed a “can-do” community, and no longer one that must incessantly bicker about every project for decades at a time.

In short, it is time for Douglas County to get into this game. The winning prize could be significant for our economy and our future. But first, the varying interests present in our community must come together and make an important decision: Will we all be on the same team?