A vote of five local governments could result in the building of a new interstate-style highway in central Kansas, creating a new link among the truck-heavy I-70, U.S. 50 and U.S. 54 corridors, The Hutchinson News reported Dec. 24.

The project would widen the current two-lane state Highway 61, which runs from I-135 in McPherson southwest to Hutchinson, into a four-lane divided highway.

For the work to move forward, the governments of Reno and McPherson counties, as well as city governments in McPherson, Hutchinson and Inman, must sign on, the newspaper said.

If the five governments sign on, work on the new road should start in 2009 and take about three years.