Allen County commissioners were told Tuesday they may find recompense if old U.S. 169 between Iola and the back way into Chanute were damaged as an unofficial detour.
Within a matter of weeks U.S. 169 from Minnesota Road southeast of Iola to south of Delaware Road better-known as Tank Farm Road southeast of Humboldt will be closed well into 2019 for a complete rebuild.
Wayne Jackson, KDOT official, reiterated the official detour will be U.S. 54 to U.S. 75 to K-39, a roundabout and lengthy way from Iola to Chanute. Most local motorists, and others who learn during the project that will carry on for as long as 330 working days with weather days likely a year and a half will opt for the shorter Iola-Humboldt-Chanute route.