LAWRENCE — The Douglas County leg of the new U.S. 59 four-lane expressway will open sometime Wednesday afternoon or early evening. Crews will remove traffic barriers Wednesday to allow vehicles to start cruising on the new 11.1-mile stretch of the expressway between Lawrence and the Franklin County line, weather permitting, the Kansas Department of Transportation said. There will still be some lane closures at various times as construction crews deal with final details and clean up, KDOT’s Kimberly Qualls said. Crews will then begin rehabilitating the old highway before it is turned over to Douglas County, she said. That work includes replacing and repairing some bridges, culverts and pavement, she said. The rehab work on the old highway is scheduled to be completed in late next summer. The entire project between Lawrence and I-35 near Ottawa cost $145 million.
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m.
