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U.S. 69 from 103rd Street to 151st Street in Overland Park, Kansas, has been widened from four to six lanes (three lanes in each direction). One new lane in each direction is an express (tolled) lane. The other lanes will remain free. The express lanes are designed to keep traffic moving and provide a more reliable travel option during busy times.
Things to know:
The U.S. 69 Expansion Project (69Express) was launched in 2020 after years of effort to examine how best to improve the state’s busiest four-lane highway. The goal was to address growing safety, travel time reliability and congestion issues in the corridor, which stretches from 103rd Street to 179th Street, all in Overland Park. After significant community consultation and study, the Project approval bodies all green lighted the Project in 2021. Construction on 69Express, which will widen U.S. 69 and add express lanes between 103rd and 151st Streets, began in early 2023. Express lanes opened February 21, 2026.
Nearly 25 years were spent studying how to ensure U.S. 69 more safely meets growing local and state needs.
69Express is announced as a top project for KDOT. The improvements would include an emphasis on expansion of the roadway from 103rd to 151st Streets. The project would aim to alleviate congestion and bottlenecks on one of Kansas’s busiest highways.
69Express is launched to determine how best to improve one of the state’s busiest highways to address growing safety, travel time reliability and congestion issues between 103rd and 179th Streets.
69Express kicks off with a series of civic leader interviews, focus groups and statistically valid community surveys to better understand the issues and opportunities surrounding improving the corridor. A broad-based community advisory group is established to provide input and insights regarding community preferences for the project.
U.S. 69 corridor users, residents and businesses are engaged in developing the project’s technical analysis and proposed alternatives through a broad range of public involvement tools: public and virtual meetings; project website, social media and newsletter; media relations; community presentations; and other means.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) undertake an Environmental Assessment (EA) to examine the environmental effects of the project. The goal is to help transportation officials make project decisions that balance engineering and transportation needs with social, economic, and natural environmental factors.
As the EA progresses, three Reasonable Alternatives emerge: No-Build (kept as a benchmark to measure against), Traditional Widening and express lanes. The two Build Alternatives are carried forward for their ability to satisfy project needs and because they rate favorably against most other initial screening criteria when compared to other alternatives.
The 69Express Toll Feasibility Study is conducted to determine whether express lanes could realistically and effectively manage corridor congestion, producing more reliable travel times. It concludes that they could – and also would generate sufficient revenue to support the operations, maintenance and lifecycle costs associated with tolling.
The Overland Park City Council votes 10-2 in favor of express lanes on U.S. 69 Highway. With the vote, Overland Park and KDOT will take a joint proposal for express lanes to the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) for its approval in accordance with state law.
The KTA Board approves the Overland Park/KDOT joint proposal for implementing express lanes on U.S. 69 by a 5-0 vote. The proposal goes to the State Finance Council for its approval in accordance with state law.
The Kansas State Finance Council (SFC) approves the Overland Park/KDOT joint proposal for implementing express lanes on U.S. 69 by an 8-0 vote. The vote concludes the state process by which express lanes may be considered as an addition to the state highway system within a municipality.
KDOT opens the search for the 69Express design-build project team, with selection coming in 2022. KDOT selected design-build for delivery because the approach helps deliver complex projects more quickly through improved innovation and communication.
KDOT completes the noise study required when a project like 69Express significantly expands or alters a highway’s alignment. Eleven locations are identified where noise wall construction may be warranted if approved by nearly 1,500 identified eligible voters.
Express lanes are selected as the Recommended Preferred Alternative for 69Express. It is determined that the express lanes best meet the Purpose and Need of the project, address congestion and traffic safety concerns within the corridor, result in fewer impacts to the natural and human environment and provide a lower-cost solution.
The U.S. Department of Transportation issues a FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact). The FONSI clears the way for KDOT to move ahead with construction of 69Express.
KDOT will build all 11 noise walls proposed as part of 69Express. To be built, each of the proposed 11 noise walls had to receive 70% of the eligible votes. The noise walls will be constructed in locations just north of 119th Street to 151st Street.
KDOT continues its review and analysis of competing design-build teams’ proposals for constructing 69Express. US69 Express Constructors, a joint venture
between Ames Construction and Emery Sapp & Sons, is selected in September 2022.
Local, state and federal officials join KDOT in breaking ground on 69Express. Utility moves and other pre-construction work begins in December 2022, and construction begins in spring 2023.
Construction gets underway. Work continues through the express lanes’ opening in early 2026 and project completion in mid‑2026.
KDOT and KTA conducted rigorous testing of 69Express tolling technology to confirm it would operate as expected when the express lanes open.
Local, state and federal officials join KDOT to celebrate the opening of 69Express.
69Express Lanes opened to traffic. The new express lanes reduce congestion and provide travel-time reliability for drivers who choose to use them, allowing them to reach work, school and other destinations on time.
“We are grateful for KDOT’s partnership and investment in U.S. 69, and we are excited that this critical corridor has been modernized to manage the transportation needs of the community and the region.”
— Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog
69Express Lanes open this Saturday, February 21! Read about the recent Ribbon-Cutting and Public Open House events. See construction updates and examples of express lane signage, and choose how you pay with DriveKS. Click here for info.
A brief guide to the new express lanes including a map of the entry/exit points, a description of how the lanes work, and information on pricing and payment methods.
[Spanish Version] A brief guide to the new express lanes including a map of the entry/exit points, a description of how the lanes work, and information on pricing and payment methods.
A review of elements that were constructed or reconstructed for the 69Express project.
69Express Lanes open on Feb. 21. Get ready! Watch a video to see how they work. Get your KTAG for the lowest tolls. Come to a public open house to learn more. Click here for info.
Express lanes will be open soon! Remember to be safe around the work zone and observe posted speed limits. There are more opportunities to meet the 69Express team and discuss the project with them. Reminder: if you get a text about unpaid tolls, do not click the link. It’s a scam!
Construction along U.S. 69 is nearly complete. Learn about how tolling equipment is being tested and which impacted trails have reopened. Save the date for a Feb. 11 Open House and see other opportunities to meet the project team. Set up your DriveKS account today!
A look behind the numbers for construction in 2025, aerial images of the Project, and a guide to using express lanes. Meet the team at upcoming community events. All this and more when you click here.
An update on the final stages of construction, the KTA/KDOT partnership, and upcoming opportunities to meet the 69Express project team. Don’t forget to get your KTAG! All this and more when you click here.
Learn what do to in case of emergency on express lanes, read about current construction updates, and consider attending a community event to meet the 69Express team. Get your KTAG now! All this and more when you click here.
