Douglas County should start preparing now for increased traffic in the Eudora area once a new Kansas Turnpike interchange is built near Tonganoxie, county commissioners said Monday.

During their Wednesday night meeting, commissioners will probably approve a resolution supporting the interchange as well as improvements to Leavenworth County Road 1 and Douglas County Road 1061. Those roads could be main connecting links to the interchange once it is built sometime in the future. Road 1061 also links to U.S. Highway 24-40 north of Eudora and to Kansas Highway 10.

The resolution the county will consider is similar to one passed by the Eudora City Council. Eudora City Administrator Cheryl Beatty and Mayor Tom Pyle told commissioners that resolutions by area governing bodies will show a united front on the need for road improvements and help open the doors to federal funding.

Lawrence officials have not yet taken a stance on the issue.

On another matter, County Engineer Keith Browning said the county’s share of the cost to replace the Kasold Drive bridge over the turnpike would be $597,015. Federal funds would amount to more than $2.26 million and the Kansas Turnpike Authority would be responsible for $801,692.

¢The resolution the county will consider is similar to one passed by the Eudora City Council. Eudora City Administrator Cheryl Beatty and Mayor Tom Pyle told commissioners that resolutions by area governing bodies will show a united front on the need for road improvements and help open the doors to federal funding.