By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
There are plans for the Taylor Road interchange off of I-70 to be developed in the future, possibly within a three to seven year time frame. That was the estimate during a joint city - county - school district meeting Monday in Junction City.
There is opposition to a proposed live-kill beef processing facility near that interchange, but regardless of that project, City Manager Allen Dinkel makes it clear the interchange will be necessary to support future development in that area on the southwest edge of town. "I have said from the get-go, I think the rest of the city commission, that Taylor Road needs to happen, that interchange."
Dinkel noted the new interchange would give Junction City and Grandview Plaza combined six interchanges. "And one that probably makes the most sense to anybody because all four quadrants of land on either side of the interchange are very developable land down the road."
During the joint meeting Dinkel commented that the new interchange would provide access to the west side of Junction City, and is needed for economic development. That road could fuel growth such as restaurants and hotels.
Junction City is looking at possibly extending Strauss Boulevard to that southwest side area of town and if it is done there will also have to be some consideration to upgrading South Spring Valley Road