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Sept. 15 public meeting set on U.S. 56 expansion east of Great Bend
new_lgp_us56expansionmap
MAP COURTESY KDOT This map shows the area of U.S. 56’s planned expansion

The Kansas Department of Transportation will host an open house-style public meeting from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, to discuss proposed plans to expand about two miles of U.S. 56 to a four-lane expressway – from the east city limits of Great Bend to the K-156 intersection in Barton County, the Kansas Department of Transportation announced this week. Proposed improvements to the K-156 intersection will also be shared.

The meeting will be held at the Great Bend Events Center, Fort Zarah Room, 3111 10th St. The public is welcome to stop by any time between to view information and speak with project staff. No formal presentations will be made.

This project is in the early design/study phase and is not yet funded for construction. It was identified as a high regional priority during a Local Consult meeting in 2019 and was selected for the IKE Development Pipeline in May of 2020. Once the project has moved through final design, it would be eligible for the IKE Construction Pipeline. If selected, a proposed construction year would be provided.

IKE (The Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program) is a flexible, responsive rolling program focused on right-sized, practical transportation improvements throughout the state.

Additional project information will be on the project webpage as it becomes available ksdotike.org/US-56-Expansion-Barton-County.  

For those unable to attend the Sept. 15 meeting, materials and an online comment form will be on the project website from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23. The information shared online will be the same information presented at the public meeting.