The expansion on U.S. Highway 69 in southeast Kansas continues as the Kansas Department of Transportation has started a project that will expand a near six-mile section of the highway in Crawford County to a four-lane divided expressway.

The expansion project begins three miles north of the north city limits of Arma and continues north to the Crawford-Bourbon county line. Two lanes will be added to the existing U.S. 69 alignment. At-grade intersections will be constructed at 680th, 690th, 700th, 710th, and 720th avenues.

Two-way traffic is being maintained on the existing lanes of U.S. 69 while the new lanes are under construction. Traffic delays are expected to be minimal. The speed limit through the project is 55 miles an hour.

KDOT awarded the $21.6 million construction contract to Bob Bergkamp Construction, Inc., of Wichita. The project is north of another U.S. 69 expansion project at Arma, which began in March. The work should complete by summer 2022, weather permitting.