Officials announced seven expansion and modernization highway projects — a total investment of more than $350 million — have been committed to construction as part of the Kelly administration’s bipartisan 10-year, $10 billion Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, also known as IKE. (Office of Gov. Kelly photo)

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced seven expansion and modernization highway projects — a total investment of more than $350 million — have been committed to construction as part of the Kelly administration's bipartisan 10-year, $10 billion Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, also known as IKE.

"When combined with the first two rounds of IKE Construction projects, these investments are part of a $2 billion commitment to make our roads safer, reduce congestion, create good jobs, and deliver more economic opportunities," said Kelly. "Getting these projects to construction will make getting around Kansas safer and easier and will allow the historic economic growth we've seen to benefit the entire state."

Since the passage of the IKE program in 2020, the Kelly administration has advanced to construction more than $2 billion for highway modernization and expansion projects.

In addition to revealing the latest round of IKE Construction Pipeline projects, Kelly and Reed also announced the final phase of two projects remaining from the T-WORKS program will go to construction in 2026. The two safety improvement projects on K-383 in Norton and Phillips Counties will officially complete the T-WORKS transportation program.

"Today's announcement represents significant investments in the state's transportation infrastructure," said Reed. "Leveraging partnerships is a guiding principle of the IKE program. When we listen to citizens and work with communities, we are more assured these investments will provide long-lasting benefits for Kansans."

Reed encouraged people to take part in a series of eight in-person local consult meetings held across the state and one virtual meeting starting next week. He said input from these bi-annual conversations is an important factor as KDOT determines which projects will be constructed.

The announcement took place in Olathe, where improvements to the I-35/Santa Fe Drive interchange were among the selected projects. The project will address capacity issues on I-35 and reconfigure the interchange at 135th Street, making driving through the area much safer. The project is estimated to result in a 42 percent reduction in fatal and injury crashes and a 22 percent reduction in property damage crashes. The city of Olathe has committed funding to help pay for the project.

"Targeted investments in our local infrastructure create good-paying jobs, improve safety, and bring economic development to our communities," said U.S. Representative Sharice Davids. "That's why I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which continues to help our state fund infrastructure projects that have long been overlooked. I thank our state and local officials for their work to improve roadways in Olathe and across Kansas."

Kelly highlighted the balance of urban and rural projects included in the pipeline announcements. Construction projects also were announced in Dickinson, Douglas, Finney, Gray, Rice and Thomas counties.

For more information, visit ksdot.gov.

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