Bryan Murphy expected a notable increase in traffic along old 169 Highway between Iola and Humboldt now that U.S. 169 is closed between the two communities.
But this has become a problem, the Allen County Sheriff told the Register Monday.
The spike in traffic along the old highway at its connecting county roads has created a headache for property owners along the route, Murphy said.
He pointed to an incident in which a highway transport unsuccessfully attempted a U-turn near the intersection of 1400 Street and Iowa Road, a mile east of Old 169.
The truck struck a tree as the driver attempted the U-turn, causing the trailer to spill its contents. Crews were on the scene for several hours Friday.
They had to cut the trailer in two in order to get it out of there, Murphy said. Its a mess.
Motorists unwilling to follow the Kansas Department of Transportation-prescribed detour going west on U.S. 54 to Yates Center, south on U.S. 75 to K-39 Highway and back east on K-39 to Chanute instead have tapped local routes, especially Old 169.
Thats fine, Murphy said, except some of the alternate routes are closed to through traffic.
Murphy said he would visit with KDOT representatives in the coming days to discuss stricter enforcement along some of the barricades, particularly for motorists who drive past the road closed signs at the U.S. 169 junction at both U.S. 54 and K-39 to gain access to other side roads.
The road is closed from Minnesota Road to Tank Farm Road to accommodate a full rebuild of the highway. Work is expected to last up to 18 months.
