Davids Announces Grant for I-35 Improvements, Highlights Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Impact
Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced a $97 million investment for improvements to I-35 Highway in Olathe. The grant funds come from the bipartisan infrastructure law, a Davids-backed piece of legislation making critical investments in America’s aging infrastructure.
“Since coming to Congress, I’ve made it a priority to advocate for our community’s local infrastructure needs. That’s why I voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law,” said Davids. “This law creates good paying jobs, strengthens our supply chains and helps lower costs, and will make our roads more efficient and dependable. I’m thrilled to see these funds coming to Kansas with the I-35 Santa Fe Forward project and investing in improvements that our region will see for generations.”
The project will improve I-35 from Old 56 Highway to 119th Street and on major arterials of Santa Fe Street and Old Highway 56 in Olathe. Improvements include access management upgrades to streamline traffic flow, auxiliary lane improvements, and more to improve reliability for travelers throughout the region.
By reaching communities across Kansas – including rural communities and other historically overlooked populations – the bipartisan infrastructure law makes critical investments that will improve lives for Kansans and position the state for success.
Davids previously released reports highlighting the condition and safety of roads and bridges in Kansas' Third District. The findings showed that, without increased funding, most streets in Kansas City, Kansas, will be in poor or failed condition by 2031. Additionally, 6 of the top 10 most-traveled, structurally deficient bridges in the state are located in the Third District. These facts underscore the urgent need for the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Davids is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the law, which is the largest investment in America’s physical infrastructure in generations and was named the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. More information on how the bipartisan infrastructure law is improving Kansas’ roads, bridges, water, and safety can be found here.
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