PSU, Crawford County pushing for by-pass, not KDOT

Fort Scottians need not worry about a by-pass around the city any time soon. According to City Administrator Dave Martin, the Kansas Department of Transportation will not consider such a project for at least another 20 years.

Martin discussed the issue during Tuesday's city commission meeting.

"I've had some dialogue from citizens and also some of the commission on the by-pass of Fort Scott," Martin said.

He said he thinks some of the questions came up when Gov. Sam Brownback was recently in town following an event at Arma regarding the U.S. 69 improvements. Martin said there has been some discussion about by-passing Fort Scott.

"KDOT said a year ago they aren't even considering by-passing Fort Scott for at least another 20 years," Martin said. "So it was kind of off the table."

Martin said a study already completed has concluded there won't be a need for a by-pass "until at least that time."

"KDOT has no intention at this time of looking at anything different," Martin said. "KDOT is working with us on an entrance to the LaRoche project. They know that's going to be a big intersection, so they're going to come to the table with us.

"They're helping with the 69 and 13th Street and National project and the corridor project next year with light synchronization.

"So KDOT feels they're doing everything they can to help the traffic flow," Martin said.

He said the city supports a group, the Highway 69 Association, that is supposed to be a lobby group in Washington, D.C. for Highway 69 from Kansas City to Interstate 44 in Oklahoma.

"The Highway 69 Association is, politically, the ones trying to get a by-pass plan or study done," Martin said.

He said there is a plan to by-pass Pittsburg, but it is not funded yet.

"I have been very vocal at meetings, not feeling like the (funds) need to be spent on by-passing Fort Scott when we're spending $3 to $4 million dollars on the corridor plan, light synchronization," Martin said. "PSU and Crawford County feels differently. They feel like the Johnson County people don't want to slow down in Fort Scott. I don't think they (PSU and Crawford County) want them to slow down in Fort Scott. I think they want them to go all the way down to Pittsburg."

Later he said PSU recruits many students from Johnson County.

He said he wants the commissioners -- and the public -- to know that KDOT is not pushing for a by-pass.

He said the city contributes $3,000 annually to the Highway 69 Association.

"When we get invoiced for that, I think that's something we really have to consider," Martin said.

He said former Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro is vice president of the Highway 69 Association and Ken Brock is the president.

"I just want the residents to understand it's not KDOT and there's not a by-pass on the table right now, but there is a group that's lobbying to make that happen," Martin said.

Martin said he will be meeting with KDOT officials in the near future.

Jolynne Stainbrook asked if the county commissioners should be asked to write a letter opposing the idea. Martin recommended not writing to KDOT. He said he would think about the best approach and make a suggestion at the next city commission meeting.

Commissioner Jeanie Parker said she thinks a by-pass would hurt Fort Scott.

"I don't care what they say, and they'll be people out there that will tell you that you'll grow," Martin said.

While attending a meeting in Wichita recently, Martin said other city officials stated they realize now that building schools and other entities outside of or on the city limits is killing downtowns and the rural communities.

"And we've got so many good things going right now," Martin said. "Behind the scenes people who deal with a by-pass will tell you people do not have money to build at the outskirts of town -- to move their restaurants and stuff. Those days are gone."

Commissioner Sam Mason said he spoke to KDOT engineers about constructing a flyover instead of a by-pass.

"The engineers just perked up with I talked about a flyover," Mason said.

He suggested instead of a by-pass, there should be discussion of a flyover, which would be constructed above the existing roads.

Martin said there also has been discussion about roundabouts.

"There maybe some things on intersections north we can do to improve traffic," Martin said.