The Kansas Department of Transportation recently announced that Franklin County will receive a Cost Share Award of $1.5 million for Phase One of the Old 50 Highway Widening Project. The award will cover approximately 50% of the $3 million project that will widen the existing surface to a width of 26′ 7″ with gravel shoulders, provide edge line and centerline rumble strips, updated signage and extended culverts as needed on Old Highway 50 from Iowa Road to Eisenhower Road.
Built in the 1930’s, Old 50 Highway has been a major road for citizens of Franklin County for over 90 years. While most interstate traffic has moved to I-35, Old 50 Highway remains a vital link for citizens in the southwest quadrant of the county to travel to major employers and commercial and retail businesses in and around the city of Ottawa. While the route is convenient, officials say the 20 foot pavement width creates hazardous roadway conditions. Old 50 Highway is the only paved road with a 20 foot roadway in the entire county. They say 10 foot driving lanes are too narrow for modern vehicles and semi-trucks. The county intends to eventually widen the entire 16.4 mile stretch of Old 50 Highway in several phases in the coming years.
The surveying and design portion of the project is complete and construction may begin as early as fall of this year.
