Kansas officials commit $442 million to transportation infrastructure projects
Gov. Laura Kelly takes part in a news conference Oct. 22, 2025, to announce funding of nine transportation infrastructure projects requiring investment of $442 million through 2030. (Submitted)
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly added nine highway expansion and modernization projects valued at $442 million to Kansas’ transportation pipeline.
The announcement in Lindsborg on Wednesday represented the fourth round of projects in the state’s 10-year Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program adopted by the Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Kelly. The location was chosen because the roster of projects included reconstruction of Kansas 4 and Bethany Drive to create a more functional entrance to the city from I-135.
The $11 million project, with a contract scheduled to be awarded in 2029, would remove an aging bridge to eliminate the need for maintenance at the location.
Kelly said the IKE program had proven to be a powerful engine for economic growth and represented a commitment to build a stronger, safer Kansas.
“Since the program’s inception, we have worked diligently to advance important infrastructure modernization and expansion projects to the construction stage, ensuring a safe, prosperous future for Kansans in rural, suburban and urban communities across the state,” she said.
The most expensive project in this round would be replacement in 2028 of Centennial Bridge with a $157 million, four-lane structure in Leavenworth County. In 2029, the state also plans to proceed with $120 million in interchange improvements on Kansas 96 at Rock Road and Woodlawn Road in Sedgwick County.
The Kansas Department of Transportation committed to a $43 million project in 2030 for construction of an interchange at Kansas 10 and Lone Elm Road in Johnson County.
In 2029, KDOT said it would allocate $35 million to create passing lanes on U.S. 169 in Anderson and Allen counties. The agency said southwest Kansas would benefit from $33 million in passing lanes on U.S. 83 in Finney and Scott counties.
Other projects included $17 million to rebuild U.S. 281 in Russell and Osborne counties in 2028. In addition, $15 million would be invested in reconstructing Kansas 33 in Douglas County and $11 million to upgrade K-33 in Franklin County during 2030.
KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed said improvements in transportation infrastructure depended on development of local project partnerships.
“Communities across the state recognize the benefits that a well-planned and funded transportation system brings,” Reed said. “When we listen to and collaborate with Kansans directly, we can have confidence that these investments will deliver meaningful and long-lasting benefits for all.”