Community gathers to view proposed transportation improvements

Area residents, businesses and community leaders gathered with KDOT staff and project consultants in November to view drawings of the proposed design concepts for the Arma Connection and the section of US-69 Highway from Arma to Fort Scott. The open house, held at Arma's Northeast High School in November, was well-attended with more than 100 individuals taking the opportunity to learn more about the projects.

According to James Dietzel, KDOT Road Design Leader, the feedback received at the meeting, and in written comments, was overwhelmingly supportive. "The community is generally glad to see improvements are being planned. Most of the written comments we received relate to specific pieces of property. We will be responding to each comment, and we will take everything we've heard into consideration as the design for each project moves forward."

Priscilla Petersen, KDOT Southeast District Public Involvement, noted that anyone who has recently bought or sold property along the corridor is encouraged to contact KDOT.

"Changes in ownership eventually reach KDOT, but anytime a property owner contacts us directly, it allows us to begin communicating with them more quickly." Petersen said. "We would like to ensure that all abutting property owners (existing or new) are aware of the project and potential changes to access."

The official right-of-way process will not begin until the fall of 2014.

The next public meeting is anticipated in January 2014. In the meantime, KDOT will be sending quarterly updates to help the community stay informed. Anyone interested in receiving quarterly project updates should provide their contact information to Priscilla Petersen at 620-431-1000 or priscilla@ksdot.org.

Surveyors finished gathering data on the Arma to Fort Scott section of US-69 Highway this month. Preliminary design work is underway and will continue into spring 2014. At that time, KDOT will begin geotechnical investigations, which includes evaluating soils and subsurface materials for grading and pavement determinations. The KDOT Geotechnical Unit will begin contacting property owners for permission to access properties for this investigation.

Preliminary design work has included grading design for the new lanes and evaluating whether dedicated left and right turn lanes at intersections are needed.

Due to the number of comments received about access roads, KDOT approved the design extending the east access road from Eagle Road, south to Calvary Road. In addition, KDOT is analyzing the costs and impacts of extending the access road from 680th Road north to 690th Road, as well as other access roads to specific properties. The Project Team is in the process of responding to comments received at the November 2012 open house.

T-WORKS, the State's comprehensive transportation program, has identified funding for construction improvements to the US-69 Highway Arma to Fort Scott segment and preliminary design for the Arma Connection. After preliminary design has been completed, an estimate of probable construction costs will be generated to determine a realistic construction cost. Once realistic construction costs are known, the next steps (including final design) will be determined.

If construction prices across the State remain favorable, additional T-WORKS funding may become available for construction of the Arma Connection.