HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission Tuesday agreed to send a letter of support for the K-96 highway improvements.

Originally, the work was proposed from Willowbrook to just north of Sterling, but that has apparently been changed to have it go all the way to Lyons.

The project was put on hold after the Kansas Department of Transportation decided that, because of funds taken from the department by the legislature for other uses, it had to postpone projects, including K-96 until a later time.

Apparently, a Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force will be meeting to discuss the future of Kansas highways and potential projects.

The Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce plans to lobby for the K-96 project.

According to the letter being sent by the county, traffic using this corridor has increased and more growth is projected by 2035.

County Administrator Gary Meagher talked about the importance of this project:

 

Commissioner Dan Deming admitted that some in the Nickerson area are not in favor of the project because it will use some farm land. However, all the land needed for the project has been purchased.