Federal regulators are giving the public more time to comment on whether a key permit for the uncompleted South Lawrence Trafficway should be issued.

The Federal Highway Administration on Thursday announced it was extending the public comment period on whether the eastern leg of the road would damage historically significant properties in the area. The agency will take written comment through Jan. 19. The public comment period had been scheduled to end today.

People can send comments on the permit process, which is called a 4(f) evaluation, to: Wendall Meyer, assistant division administrator, Federal Highway Administration Kansas Division Office, 6111 S.W. 29th St., Topeka 66614.

Regulators primarily are reviewing two routes for the eastern leg of the road: one that would go through the Baker Wetlands and another that would go south of the Wakarusa River.

Regulators agreed to extend the comment period because of the amount of public interest the project has generated.

In other trafficway news, the Tonganoxie City Council recently agreed to send a letter supporting the wetlands route, saying it thinks the road is important to the regional transportation system.