TOPEKA, Kan. — October 23, 2025 — Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Secretary Calvin Reed unveiled nine new highway modernization and expansion projects valued at over $442 million on Wednesday. These projects will be incorporated into the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) construction pipeline, marking the fourth round of initiatives under the bipartisan 10-year IKE program.
“The IKE program is a powerful engine for economic growth and a testament to our commitment to building a stronger, safer Kansas,” Kelly said. “Since the program’s inception, we have worked diligently to advance important infrastructure modernization and expansion projects to the construction stage, ensuring a safe, prosperous future for Kansans in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the state.”
The IKE program, first launched to improve and expand critical roadways across Kansas, is designed to modernize aging infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion, enhance safety, and support economic growth throughout the state.
“Communities across the state recognize the benefits that a well-planned and funded transportation system brings,” Reed said. “When we listen to and collaborate with Kansans directly, we can have confidence that these investments will deliver meaningful and long-lasting benefits for all.”
The announced projects span multiple counties and include bridge replacements, interchange upgrades, road widening, and passing lane additions, supporting both rural connectivity and urban traffic efficiency. Key projects include:
$157 million to expand to four lanes; expected construction letting 2028.
$43 million; construction letting 2030.
$15 million; construction letting 2030.
$11 million; construction letting 2029.
$17 million; construction letting 2028.
$11 million; construction letting 2030.
$35 million; construction letting 2029.
$120 million; construction letting 2029.
$33 million; construction letting 2029.
These projects aim to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and improve transportation efficiency, benefiting commuters, freight operators, and regional economies alike. Many of the projects also prioritize upgrades to bridges and roadways that are critical to rural communities, ensuring access for emergency services, agricultural transport, and local commerce.
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The $442 million investment is expected to generate thousands of construction jobs, stimulate local economies, and strengthen Kansas’ infrastructure network for decades to come. By modernizing high-traffic corridors and improving rural connections, the program will support both commercial and residential growth across the state.
KDOT emphasizes the importance of public engagement, noting that local communities were consulted to identify priority needs, safety concerns, and future traffic patterns, ensuring the projects deliver maximum benefit for all Kansans.
“By working closely with local communities, we can make informed investments that directly improve safety, connectivity, and economic opportunities,” Reed said.
The IKE program’s ongoing funding and project pipeline reflect Governor Kelly’s commitment to long-term infrastructure planning, addressing both immediate maintenance needs and future growth demands. As these projects progress toward construction, Kansans can expect visible improvements to highways, bridges, and interchanges across the state in the coming years.
Originally reported by Keller Welton in KSNT.
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