The federal government may set aside money for controversial upgrades to a Leavenworth County road.

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., announced that the Senate Committee on Appropriations included $500,000 for upgrades to Leavenworth County Road 1 in 2008.

“It is my hope that with this investment, the overall turnpike interchange project can move forward in a timely fashion for the benefit of northeast Kansas and the citizens of Leavenworth County,” Roberts said.

The money would be used to help build a turnpike interchange at the junction of the county road and Interstate Highway 70.

The project has been opposed by about 20 landowners near the proposed interchange site in Tonganoxie who believe the project drastically will change the predominately rural character of the area.