McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — A potentially significant obstacle to the plans to improve US 56 from McPherson to Marion surfaced at a meeting last week in Canton.
McPherson County Public Works Director David Bohnenblust was at that meeting, and told the County Commission Monday the City of Hillsboro and Marion County make clear they do not want any part of the proposed project if any streets are required to be closed in the city of Hillsboro. There are multiple driveways along 56 at the north edge of Hillsboro for businesses in that area.
Meanwhile it appears more likely the intersection at Limestone Road, which leads to 1st Street in McPherson, will close. Bohnenblust said the city of McPherson and McPherson Industrial Development Company did not support the county’s view Limestone should remain open.
The potential was raised about possibly asking KDOT to assist with improvements along 17th Avenue, which much of the current Limestone traffic east of 17th would be shifted to. If Marion County does pull out, that may free up funding for that idea. Closure of Limestone may also increase traffic along Centennial Road in McPherson.
