A summary of additional right of way needs and locations, the right of way process and schedule, and answers to common questions.
All proposed noise walls will be constructed.
Express Toll Lanes Approved for U.S. 69 Highway
In October 2020, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), along with the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) and the City of Overland Park, began an in-depth study of how best to improve U.S. 69 from 179th Street north to 103rd Street. One of the state’s busiest highways, U.S. 69 experiences heavy congestion during rush hours and at other times. The study concluded that adding express toll lanes would best improve public safety, reduce congestion and increase travel time predictability.
Previous studies indicate that U.S. 69 congestion will increase significantly in the future, creating slower traffic and longer response times for emergency personnel. Transportation improvements are needed to address congestion and keep the economy moving. These improvements will be identified as part of the U.S. 69 Expansion Project.

U.S. 69 Expansion Project History at a Glance
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. Crash rates in the corridor are 53 percent above the statewide average. Existing pavement and bridges are more than 50 years old and overdue for replacement. Meanwhile, congestion is growing; peak travel times are expected to triple over the next few years. As a result of great progress on the Project in 2021, 69Express advanced significantly towards the start of construction in 2022.

“Commuters on U.S. 69 corridor are frustrated with increasing congestion and travel times. We must address these issues to keep the Overland Park community and economy growing.”
— Former Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach