Davids Joins Kelly, KDOT to Break Ground on US 69 Modernization Project

Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined Governor Laura Kelly, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, Acting Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Calvin Reed, and other local leaders to break ground on the US 69 modernization project. US 69 is the most congested and most dangerous four-lane road in the state, and the new project—funded in part by the bipartisan infrastructure law—will add two new lanes from 103rd to 151st Streets and complete a new interchange at 167th Street.

Davids repeatedly advocated for the US 69 project as the bipartisan infrastructure law advanced through Congress, raising it with the President himself prior to its passage.

"Modernizing US 69 has been a priority since my predecessor's predecessor, so it's a true honor to stand beside Governor Kelly and our local leaders and break ground on this project. This is a great example of how the bipartisan infrastructure law is creating jobs and building safer, stronger, and smarter roadways across Kansas," said Davids. "I'm proud to have voted to bring federal funding to this project and will continue partnering with state and local officials to ensure this project is a success for our community."

"69Express will ensure that commuters can travel quickly and safely to their destinations and move freight efficiently throughout the state, further cementing Kansas as critical to interstate commerce," Governor Laura Kelly said. "This is a smart investment for our state, and I'm so glad we're finally moving dirt and getting this done."

"We're proud to support the Kansas Department of Transportation and its partners in investing to make one of the state's busiest travel corridors safer for all users – whether they are moving freight or trying to get to work on time," Administrator Shailen Bhatt said. "This project will improve safe travel and accommodate the growth needs of strong local economies throughout the entire Kansas City region."

"KDOT and the Kansas Turnpike Authority are excited to get this first-of-its-kind project for Kansas underway," said Acting Secretary Reed. "69Express will help manage congestion and keep traffic moving in all directions well into the future."

The bipartisan infrastructure law is helping fund the US 69 expansion project, which has been a priority in Johnson County for decades. Specifically, the new federal funding allowed KDOT to accelerate the US 69 / 167^th St Interchange, which is projected to see 30,000 vehicles daily by 2050 — a 450% increase from current levels. The updated interchange will help support expected growth in southern Johnson County and create a clear path for emergency vehicles to reach the recently-expanded AdventHealth South Overland Park Hospital.

In all, more than $1.5 billion in federal bipartisan infrastructure law funding has been announced for Kansas, with over 115 specific projects identified for funding—from lead pipe replacement in Olathe to safety initiatives in KCK to long-overdue upgrades to K-68 in Miami County. Davids is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the law.