OTTAWA — The Kansas Department of Transportation said it plans to open the Franklin County section of the new four-lane U.S. 59 to traffic about 10 a.m. today. As it leaves Franklin County, the new highway will use a temporary crossover to connect to the existing two-lane roadway in Douglas County. KDOT’s Priscilla Peterson said work will continue on the Douglas County segment, which is scheduled to be completed sometime next year. After the new section is open this morning, work will begin three miles north of Ottawa to connect the new expressway to the old 59. The old U.S. 59 in Franklin County will be restricted to local traffic for two months while the connection is being built. The overall cost of the entire expressway between Lawrence and I-35 is estimated at slightly more than $240 million.
Tuesday, March 30, 6:30 a.m.
