Miami County Road and Bridge Director Eric Sandberg reported Oct. 8 that he and staff attended the Kansas Department of Transportation’s regional local consult meeting in Pittsburg, where projects from southeastern Kansas, including the K‑169 four‑lane project, were discussed.

Sandberg said the K‑169 improvement has appeared in two 10‑year transportation plans and that the project is expected to go to bid in 2026. Utility relocations are in progress, and Sandberg said nine properties will face combination hearings on Oct. 16 in local court as part of right-of-way acquisition. He described a potential construction window beginning late 2026 into 2027, with timing affected by utility work and bidding schedules.

Sandberg also noted a local T‑Works project to reconstruct the K‑33 crossing over I‑35 south of Wellsville, and he described wider market pressures that have driven cost increases in recent years. The director said county staff reiterated the local project’s history and need during the KDOT meeting.

No formal county action was required at the meeting; Sandberg provided the update for commissioners and asked that the board remain apprised of acquisition and relocation developments.