Issue #14   |  June 24, 2022

69Expressway Construction To Begin This Fall

Construction on the 69Express project is set to begin later this year. The project will involve adding a new, third tolled lane in each direction from 151st to 103rd streets, replacement of 50-year old pavement, 11 noise walls, and improving interchanges at 167th street, Blue Valley Parkway and I-435. The existing two lanes in each direction will remain untolled as they are now. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) also is working this summer to focus on making sure 69Express provides equity in area mobility access; selects a proven, effective design-build team to implement nearly three years of construction ahead; and kicks off construction with a September groundbreaking.  For more information on what’s happening and how we got here, visit the timeline of major Project events or catch up on Project news, updates and background information at 69Express.org.

Equity Committee The 69Express Equity Committee will hold its third meeting in mid-July as it works to assist KDOT in developing a holistic approach to identifying and mitigating potential impacts of express lane operations ​on equity priority communities​. The group is developing recommendations for submittal to KDOT in early 2023. The 13-member group includes representatives from major Johnson County health, transit, business and social service providers and diverse business and community groups. With guidance from the Committee, KDOT and members of the 69Express Project team are engaging with other community groups to make sure that a broad range of voices are heard regarding potential toll impacts and mitigations.

Design-Build Team Selection

KDOT continues its review and analysis of competing design-build teams’ proposals for constructing the U.S. 69 improvements. A winning team and approach are expected to be announced mid-summer. KDOT selected design-build for delivering 69Express because it means this complex Project can be completed more quickly through improved innovation and collaboration. Once a team is selected, the official Project groundbreaking ceremony will follow in mid-September.

Noise Walls Location Selected

After a series of public meetings earlier this year and votes by the 1,500 residents living near U.S. 69 who would be affected by noise from the improved highway, KDOT will build all 11 noise walls proposed as part of the U.S. 69 Expansion Project. To be built, each of the proposed 11 noise walls had to receive 70% of the eligible votes nearest to it. The noise walls will be constructed in locations just north of 119th Street to 151st Street.

69Express Poses No Significant Environmental Impacts

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) concluded that no significant environmental impacts are likely to occur from building the 69Express Project. The FHWA’s Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) came after its review of an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the project conducted by KDOT, along with the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) and the City of Overland Park. The EA evaluated the benefits and impacts of potential improvements to modernize and expand U.S. 69. The EA and FONSI reports, as well as Project information, are on the Project website, 69Express.org.

Request A Presentation

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

Visit www.69express.org to learn more about the U.S. 69 Corridor Modernization and Expansion Project. 

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