OTTAWA — Franklin County public works director Jim Haag said the county should look a gift road in the mouth. Once the new U.S. 59 expressway is completed, the state intends to turn over what is now the present U.S. 59 to Franklin and Douglas counties. The state has agreed to make improvements to the existing highway before it’s turned over to the counties but hasn’t signed an agreement to what those improvements will be, he said. Until the counties and state agree on the improvements and until the improvements are done, the counties shouldn’t be in any hurry to accept the road.
