Thirty years ago, Lawrence's planners envisioned that, someday, a freeway would be needed between Lawrence and Ottawa. That Time is now! However, when the Kansas Department of Transportation proposed the idea of a freeway, some of the current government bodies became skeptical about its ramifications. In fact, an organization was created that wants KDOT to restrict improvements to the current roadbed. This page was created to respond to the claims of this opposing group (and to skeptical commissioners) and to try to answer questions regarding this highway.

First, we need to sort a few things out

• By building a freeway, we leave the existing 59 just as dangerous and no longer on the state rolls.

• The freeway will caused increase time for emergency vehicles to get here

• 59 Can be improved by adding shoulders

• We need enforcement on 59 — not a new freeway

• 59 can simply be improved by adding two lanes to the existing ones — make it an expressway

• KDOT is saying expressways aren't safe, but US 71 in Western Missouri is safe, and handles more traffic than is projected on 59

• KDOT is selecting a route before they do and Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Statement

• This freeway is going to tear up this pre-Civil War house. It is irreplaceable.

• The freeway will ruin the livelihoods of farmers.

• KDOT is showing an appalling display of arrogance by ramming this down our throats.

Am I missing something? Email me route56@route56.com

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