LATEST UPDATE: 69Express Constructors Chosen!

KDOT has selected Ames Construction and Emery Sapp & Sons as the design-build team for 69Express. Together, they bring extensive design-build experience on projects ranging from $20 million to $1.2 billion and have constructed 12 express lane projects across the country. They will work with KDOT to ensure a smooth and on-schedule build that will improve traffic flow and congestion along U.S. 69 Highway. To learn more, click here.

Express Lanes Approved for U.S. 69 Highway

KDOT has approved the $570 million project that will add a new, tolled lane in each direction on U.S. 69 Highway from 103rd to 151st Streets in Overland Park. The existing four lanes of U.S. 69 will remain as non-tolled, general-purpose lanes. The project also will replace the roadway’s 50-year-old pavement and bridges, add 11 noise walls and improve interchanges at College Boulevard, 119th Street, Blue Valley Parkway, 135th Street and I-435. The interchange at 167th Street will be completed as part of the project, as well. 

The express lanes design was based on an in-depth study of how best to improve U.S. 69 from 179th Street north to 103rd Street. Based on the study’s findings, express lanes will best address growing safety, travel time reliability and congestion issues in the study corridor. To learn more about the express lanes, click here. 

Moving Forward

KDOT plans to break ground on 69Express in early 2023 as a celebratory kick-off to the project. Limited utility work is already underway, and travelers may see an occasional lane drop. More significant impacts to the traveling public will not occur until construction begins in the spring, or when the weather permits. The express lanes are anticipated to open in late 2025 with all construction concluding in 2026. 

Want to get the latest updates? Visit 69express.org/ or sign up for email updates! 

New Project Interviews Available on YouTube

Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz was recently interviewed on video for the annual Good Morning Overland Park! event. Excerpts from the videos and answers to questions such as "Why is this project important?" and "What is a design build project anyway?" can be found on the project's YouTube Channel. These videos will also be available on the project website for future reference.

Interested in a 69Express Project informational presentation and Q&A session for your community group? Click here.