WELDA — Anderson County Sheriff Scott Brownrigg recently watched a steady stream of vehicles bypass highway construction being done to replace an old railroad overpass with a less imposing structure by using a “local access” detour.
Brownrigg wanted to see how many drivers used the detour around the construction on U.S. 169, the Anderson County Review reported. During one hour in the morning he counted 100 vehicles and another 150 during one hour in the evening.
The official detour for northbound traffic starts at the highways 54 and 169 intersection at the east edge of Iola, follows U.S. 54 to Moran, goes north on U.S. 59 and rejoins U.S. 169 south of Garnett.
Many drivers have chosen instead to continue through Welda, taking a one-mile rock road detour with a speed limit of 35 miles an hour.
Local residents have complained about the traffic. Brownrigg said there was nothing he could do as long as drivers obey traffic laws.
Anderson County Road Superintendent Lester Welsh told the Review he preferred drivers use the shorter detour rather than go east from Colony and drive on eight miles of hard-surfaced county road to where it connects to U.S. 59 at Lone Elm.
Welsh’s crews have had to repair the rock road, but better that than have to repair eight miles of hard-surfaced road, he said.
For an Iolan driving north on U.S. 169, using the Welda detour — as opposed to the official one — saves 16 miles; it’s 36 miles by the official detour, compared to 20 driving directly north. Those who drive from Iola, east of Colony to Lone Elm and then north travel 26 miles, six more than by taking advantage of the Welda bypass.
Welda detour popular
