By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Even though the expansion of U.S. 56 Highway, just east of Great Bend,
would be several years out if the project gets funded by the Kansas Department
of Transportation, the preferred choice for the improvement at the U.S 56 and
K-156 Highway intersection is a “continuous unsignalized green T.”
What is a “green T” when it comes to road construction?
There are currently only two “green T” intersections in Kansas. KDOT Project
Manager Thomas Hussa said only motorists attempting to turn left will be
required to stop.
"The green T has a through lane for the eastbound direction that is separated from the left turn lane," said Hussa. "That left-turn lane has a longer storage length that will avoid a backup situation. The left-turn lane to go northbound, only has to look at westbound traffic to make the maneuver. The same thing with the southbound to eastbound maneuver...they only have to look at the westbound traffic."
East and westbound traffic will still have through lanes. Westbound traffic
wanting to turn right onto K-156 will have an acceleration lane. Those
motorists coming from K-156 wanting to turn right onto U.S. 56, will also have
a merging lane. Both will prevent traffic from clogging up, waiting on a vehicle
to turn.
KDOT estimates the project that will turn 2.3 miles of U.S. 56 into a four-lane
expressway to cost $18 million.
Read more on the project by clicking the below link.
KDOT's recommended option for US 56 expansion near Great Bend