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U.S. 69 Four Lane Expansion Projects

July 2, 2004 (04-089)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Contact: Stan Whitley, (785) 296-3585

Two projects awarded by KDOT to continue
U.S. 69 four-lane expansion

A safer highway corridor offering enhanced economic development opportunities. Those are two goals that will be achieved through four-lane freeway construction on U.S. 69 between Louisburg and Fort Scott.

The Kansas Department of Transportation recently awarded two more projects for the U.S. 69 expansion. The projects are for four-lane construction from just north of Prescott in Linn County to Fort Scott in Bourbon County. Koss Construction Co. Inc. and Subsidiaries, Topeka, was awarded the contract on both projects.

In Bourbon County, work will involve grading, surfacing and bridge construction in a 12.9-mile area from Fort Scott to the Bourbon-Linn county line. The low bid was approximately $35.8 million. In Linn County, grading surfacing and bridge construction will take place in a 2.8-mile area from the Bourbon-Linn county line north to Prescott. The low bid by Koss on that project was approximately $10.5 million.

Work on the projects will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in two construction seasons.

“I am very pleased to see these projects move forward to construction,” said KDOT Secretary of Transportation Deb Miller. “Thanks to the Governor’s leadership and the Kansas Legislature’s renewed commitment to the Comprehensive Transportation Program, important projects like these will be constructed as promised. 

“While I know that construction delays are frustrating it's important to remember that this construction work represents jobs for Kansas citizens,” added Miller. “Travelers on U.S. 69 will see marked improvements and safer travel when the four-lane expansion is completed.”

Fort Scott City Manager Richard Nienstedt said he’s excited to see U.S. 69 projects move forward to the construction stage.

“The continued improvement on U.S. 69 and the development of four lanes between Fort Scott and Kansas City will help insure jobs, economic vitality and growth in the community of Fort Scott,” said Nienstedt. “We appreciate the continued commitment of the Legislature, Governor, and Secretary of KDOT for supporting these very important projects for Fort Scott and Southeast Kansas.”

Four projects have now been let for the U.S. 69 expansion and four more will be let by KDOT through 2007. Construction work is progressing on two previously awarded projects in Miami County to improve U.S. 69 between Louisburg and the Miami-Linn county line.

A project to four-lane U.S. 69 from Louisburg south 10.9 miles is expected to be completed this fall. A related U.S. 69 project continuing south 4.7 miles to the Miami-Linn county line is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2005. Ideker, Inc., St. Joseph, Mo., is the general contractor on both projects at a cost of approximately $47.7 million.

The tentative timetable for completion of entire four-lane freeway construction between Louisburg and Fort Scott is 2009.

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