The drive between Iola and Chanute just got a bit shorter and a bit smoother, as U.S. 169 is now open after more than a year of construction.
The highway between Delaware Road north to Minnesota Road was reopened Thursday by the Kansas Department of Transportation. That section had been closed for reconstruction of the pavement since the spring of 2018.
The official detour took drivers about twice as long to get from Iola to Chanute, sending traffic on a horseshoe journey from U.S. 54 at Iola, U.S. 75 west to Yates Center and K-39 to Chanute. Many motorists found shorter alternative routes, like through Humboldt.
The contractor is completing various activities off the roadway. Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc., of Columbia, Mo., is the primary contractor on the $16 million project.
