All but one member of the Kansas congressional delegation have signed a letter endorsing a 32nd Street route for the South Lawrence Trafficway, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts announced today.

Roberts signed the letter, along with fellow Republicans Sen. Sam Brownback, U.S. Reps. Jim Ryun, Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt. Only U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, who represents the east half of Lawrence – and the state’s lone Democrat in Congress – did not sign the letter.

The letter says, in part: ” Currently, Kansas Highway 10 is routed through city streets in Lawrence, creating congested and unsafe driving conditions. Furthermore, as northeast Kansas residential and business interests continue to grow, so do regional demands on the existing transportation infrastructure. A safe and efficient transportation system will help this development benefit the entire state.”

Roberts’ press release pointed out the 32nd Street route has also attracted the support of the Douglas County Commission, the K-10 Assn., the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas State University, the City of Tonganoxie, the City of Overland Park, the City of Lenexa, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce, and the Kansas Association of Realtors.

In recent weeks, however, the Lawrence City Commission and Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission have offered their own letters opposing the 32nd Street route, which is also opposed by some environmental group who dislike that some portions of wetlands along the road would be destroyed.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2001 approved the 32nd Street route, under the condition the project include money to enlarge the Baker Wetlands, by adding up to 400 acres of manmade wetlands in the area, and would provide funding for the city and county to improve 31st Street, Louisiana Street and Haskell Avenue.

The Federal Highway Administration has said it would like to adopt the 2001 study conducted by the corps but is accepting comments on whether the entire process should begin anew.