First phase of U.S. 54 rebuild complete

A newly rebuilt portion of U.S. 54 in downtown Iola was opened to traffic Friday. Crews immediately closed off the south half of the six-block stretch of highway so it can be rebuilt.

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Local News

September 4, 2026 - 2:01 PM

Motorists drive along the newly built portion of U.S. 54 through Iola Friday after crews switched the traffic flow in order to begin tearing out the south side of the highway from State to Buckeye streets. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register

The ongoing rebuild of U.S. 54 through Iola crossed its first major threshold Friday, when crews opened a newly rebuilt portion of the highway through the downtown business district.

The changeover occurred with only a few hitches, Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock reported, as motorists realized the north lanes were open for business.

The south half of the highway, stretching from State to Buckeye streets, has been closed off, which means U.S. 54 can no longer be accessed from South Chestnut, Walnut, Washington, South, Jefferson and Sycamore…

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