KDOT's recommended option for US 56 expansion near Great Bend

Kansas Department of Transportation officials answered questions regarding the U.S. 56 Highway expansion at a public meeting Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Great Bend Events Center.

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

The expansion of U.S. 56 Highway, just east of Great Bend, is a high-priority project for the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Turning 2.3 miles of the highway into a four-lane expressway went through KDOT’s local consult process and a public meeting Thursday in Great Bend. Several KDOT representatives were on hand at the Great Bend Events Center answering the public’s questions and presenting plans for the expansion.

KDOT Director of Engineering & Design Calvin Reed said roughly 7,400 vehicles travel along the two-mile section of the highway each day, and that number is projected to increase to 9,300 over the next 20 years.

"We knew it was a high priority to get something done," said Reed. "This is really the first phase of the project where we are looking at concepts. We are now ready to present the concepts to the public and get feedback on preferred concepts."

The expansion would include the highway from the east city limits of Great Bend, by Kiowa Road, to the K-156 intersection.

Recommended option for improvements to the K-156 and U.S. 56 Highway intersection, on the east side of the U.S. 56 expansion project.

Multiple designs were considered when dealing with the junction of U.S. 56 and K-156, including an overpass and a roundabout. The recommended option is a continuous “unsignalized” Green T layout.

The Green T layout would provide an acceleration lane for south to eastbound left turns. East to northbound left turns are required to stop. Eastbound traffic has a continuous through lane.

Access points expected to close along the four-lane expressway.

"As far as safety improvements, we're looking to remove some of the access points along the four-lane highway," said Reed. "That just makes it a safer highway. The fewer points we have for people to come in and off the highway, the safer. We also want to improve the intersection of K-156 and U.S. 56 on the east end of the project."

All southern access points would be removed to avoid conflicts with the railroad tracks. Also eliminated would be Northeast 40 Avenue, two field entrances on the north side, KDOT entrance and the Doonan entrance.

The full project is estimated to cost $18 million. With more design work needed and working the project into KDOT’s schedule, the expansion is still several years away from beginning.