State officials hear about transportation concerns in southeast Kansas.

 Officials from the Kansas Department of Transportation met with residents and local government officials in Iola yesterday. This is one of nine such meetings held across the state during the month of October. KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed says he has been impressed by the turn out in southeast Kansas and in the rest of the state.

At the meeting there was a strong focus on the roads near the new Bartlett plant. The roads near the plant will likely see an increase in heavy truck traffic, especially during harvest season. Sections of 160, east of the intersection and 169 north and south of the intersection with 160 also received a great deal of support from area officials. This is only one factor KDOT will use in determining which projects to fund and does not guarantee action by the state.