The Kansas Department of Transportation is ready to begin a major reconstruction project on US-54 in Iola next week.
The project is divided into two segments with five total phases, with the first phase to begin on Monday. US-54 through Iola will see a reconstruction of the highway and the sidewalks through the heart of the city. The number of traffic lanes will also be reduced from four to three to include a center turn lane. Sidewalks in the area will be widened to eight feet and other pedestrian-friendly elements will be added.
US-54 will remain open to two-way traffic during construction, though vehicles turning or crossing may face restrictions as work progresses. This first segment of the project is expected to be complete by October with the entire project slated to be finished by September 2027.
The primary contractor on the $12 million project is Bettis Asphalt and Construction of Topeka. About one third of the project relating to pedestrian and bicycle paths is funded in part by a $4.2 million KDOT Multi-modal Project grant awarded to Iola in 2024.
