Toll project won’t just make Kansas’ most dangerous roadway safer, Davids says; it’ll be smarter

OVERLAND PARK — Two new express lanes along U.S. 69 in south Johnson County are expected to boost businesses, consumers, economic development and tourism as Kansas continues to grow and global events like the 2026 World Cup are added to the region’s roster, said Sharice Davids.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, right, talks with Channa Steinmetz, Startland News, at the U.S. 69 Expansion Project (69Express) during a “Sharice’s Shift” listening tour stop; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“It’s all connected — our entire state,” said U.S. Rep. Davids, D-Kansas, explaining the significance of the in-the-works toll project south of the I-435 loop, as well as the need for reliable roadways. “The [agriculture] community needs for the roads here in the Third District to be up to date so that their goods, their products can get to market. I really lean on the experts at the state and local level to help me understand what federal funding is most necessary and how it can be most effective.” 

Davids joined construction workers on-site at the U.S. 69 Expansion Project (69Express) Thursday in Overland Park to highlight the impact and implementation of President Biden’s $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The legislation invests $350 billion in highway programs, as well as includes the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate Highway System, according to the U.S. department of transportation.

Davids previously helped break ground on 69Express, which is funded in part by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

U.S. 69 is the most congested and most dangerous four-lane road in the state. The project is set to add two new lanes from 103rd to 151st Streets and complete a new interchange at 167th Street.

Click here to learn more about the 69Express project.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, right, pilots a smart remote-controlled trench roller at the U.S. 69 Expansion Project (69Express) site; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

[pullquote]

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the largest long-term investment in U.S. infrastructure and economy in the nation’s history. It authorizes up to $550 billion to support federal public transportation programs, according to the U.S. department of transportation.

U.S. Reps. Cori Bush and Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, were joined by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, in supporting and voting for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in August 2021.

All other Republican members of both the Missouri (Graves, Hartzler, Long, Luetkemeyer, Smith, and Wagner) and Kansas (Estes, LaTurner, and Mann) Congressional delegations in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted against the infrastructure bill.

[/pullquote]

“Modernizing U.S. 69 has been a priority since my predecessor’s predecessor, and the bipartisan infrastructure law is helping to finally get this project off the ground,” Davids said. “This is a great example of how federal investments in our local infrastructure are creating jobs and building safer, stronger and smarter roadways across Kansas.”

About 250 people work at the 69Express site, with jobs ranging from construction to engineering.

“From the folks who are literally moving the ground, to the folks who have to design the plans, there’s just a lot of people whose expertise is needed,” Davids noted. 

In Kansas, 1321 bridges and more than 1,995 miles of highway are listed in poor condition. Kansas is expected to receive about $2.8 billion over five years from the bipartisan infrastructure law investment for highways and bridges, with $1.1 billion already announced. Davids advocated for the U.S. 69 project as the bipartisan infrastructure law advanced through Congress, raising it with President Biden prior to its passage. 

“The progress we’re seeing with the 69Express project is the result of [Kansas Department of Transportation] and its partners moving quickly to take advantage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding,” said Calvin Reed, who serves as the secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). “This first-of-its-kind project in Kansas will help manage congestion, improve safety and keep traffic moving well into the future.”

 “The U.S. 69 Expansion Project is a welcome boost for the region’s economy,” added Michael White, the executive director of Kansas Contractors Association. “With construction already underway, these improvements will deliver increased safety, reliability and faster commute times for Kansas drivers and businesses.”

Recent federal funding allowed KDOT to accelerate the US 69-167th St. Interchange, which is projected to see 30,000 vehicles daily by 2050 — a 450-percent 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.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, right, speaks with local construction officials at the U.S. 69 Expansion Project (69Express) site; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

When making decisions at the federal level, politicians can feel far removed from day-to-day operations happening within their own community, Davids acknowledged. Visits like the Congresswoman’s appearance Thursday in Overland Park — also known as “Sharice’s Shifts” — to connect with local workers, businesses and everyday people can help close that gap, she continued. 

“Getting a chance to be right there in the mix, it helps when I’m thinking about appropriations or which projects need funding. It’s really helpful to know just how complicated they can be and how useful and necessary they can be,” said Davids. 

The Third District U.S. representative has worked a “Sharice’s Shifts” with the KC Levee Project and at the K-10 Lexington Avenue exit, which will be the main roadway for Kansans traveling to the planned Panasonic Energy manufacturing facility.

She also worked a shift delivering packages with UPS to highlight her work to improve supply chain issues and boost employment in the trucking industry amid driver shortages, as well as visited a Kansas City, Kansas, restaurant — 1889 Pizza Napoletana kitchen — resilience in the face of COVID and supply chain challenges.