Improvements to the Farmers’ Turnpike northwest of Lawrence will stretch a little farther to the east.

Douglas County commissioners Wednesday evening agreed to extend Hamm Construction Co.’s work on County Road 438 east of the Kansas Highway 10 interchange to take advantage of current low asphalt prices.

County Engineer Keith Browning had recommended extending the project because the original bid came in so far under the $3 million budget. The construction company had already started work to begin repaving lanes and add paved shoulders just from K-10 west to County Road 1029.

As a result of lower construction costs, the county’s public works department estimates the project will cost $1.9 million, so Browning recommended extending the improvements east of the K-10 interchange. The extension is estimated to cost $96,000.