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Business Journals
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Journals
KDOT targets 2026 debut for 69 Express project
By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . Join the Kansas City Business Journal to unlock even more insights! The $572 million project will add a toll lane in each direction along U.S. Highway 69 in Overland Park. Story Highlights Kansas' first express toll lane project is finishing construction. U.S. 69 will add toll lanes between 103rd and 151st Streets in Overland Park. Toll fees will be collected electronically using the KTAG system. The Kansas Department of Transportation is close to finishing work on the state's first express toll lane project in Overland Park. The U.S. 69 Corridor Modernization and Expansion project, commonly referred to as 69 Express, completely rebuilds the four-lane U.S. Highway 69 by adding a toll lane in each direction between 103rd and 151st Streets. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Construction on the $572 million project is on track to be substantially complete by the end of the year, said 69 Express Project Director Steve Rockers. The new toll lanes are expected to be operational by January. How it works A double white line will separate the toll lane on the far left from the two existing general purpose lanes, which will remain free. 'There will be no physical separation between the express lanes and the general purpose lanes. There will be cameras out there strategically located along the corridor watching traffic,' Rockers said. Similar to the Kansas Turnpike, the 69 Express toll lanes will not have toll booths. Instead, toll fees will be collected electronically using a KTAG issued by the Kansas Turnpike Authority. Drivers will continue to access U.S. 69 as they do now and access the express lanes at dedicated entry points along the corridor. Southbound traffic can enter the express lane at 103rd Street with the option to exit at 135th Street or continue to the end of the toll lane at 151st Street. Northbound drivers will enter the toll lane just north of 151st Street with the option to exit at Blue Valley Parkway, 119th Street, College Boulevard and Interstate 435 before reaching the end of the express lane at 103rd Street. The cost will vary based on the time, how far a driver is traveling and the density of traffic, Rockers said. Prices for the toll lanes are estimated to range from about $0.50 to $1.50 a trip. 'There will be signs over the express lanes telling people what the price is going to be if they use a KTAG,' Rockers said. What's left Construction crews logged 525,000 work hours on the site in 2024, and 500,000 yards of concrete have been poured, Rockers said. In addition to widening the highway from four to six lanes, the project requires KDOT to build 25 bridges throughout the corridor. As of April 10, crews had completed work on 22 of the bridges, with three left to go. About 60% of work is complete on 11 noise walls from 119th to 151st Street, Rockers said. 'Bridge construction is more than 80% complete, and pavement is about the same,' Rockers said. The project is being built through a joint venture between Ames Construction and Emery Sapp Construction Inc. KDOT also is working with HNTB Corp. as project manager. Lenexa-based GBA is part of the lead design team. The project ranks No. 3 on the Kansas City Business Journal's List of largest area construction projects. Biggest Construction Projects in the Kansas City area Cost Rank Prior Rank Project name / Prior rank (*unranked previously) 1 1 Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Plant 2 2 Meta Data Center 3 3 U.S. 69 Expansion Project (69Express) View this list
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kansas health officials post warning over growing measles outbreak
TOPEKA (KSNT) – State health officials in Kansas have issued a warning to healthcare providers this week as measles cases climb across the nation. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued an alert on Monday, March 4 regarding cases of measles which are being reported in several states. Citing a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the KDHE said just over 160 cases of measles have been identified in the following states with the most coming out of Texas: Alaska California Georgia Kentucky New Jersey New Mexico New York City Rhode Island Texas Tax agents seize two Kansas Mexican restaurants for failure to pay $200,000 The KDHE warns that healthcare providers in Kansas should be on watch for patients who are displaying symptoms of measles. Doctors should also be on the alert for patients who have traveled recently or who have frequent contact with unimmunized people in settings like daycares. 'Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious viral illness that can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and death, especially in unvaccinated individuals. Measles is charactered by a prodrome of fever (as high as 105°F), cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis (three 'C's'), malaise, and, in some cases, pathognomonic enanthema (Koplik spots), followed by a maculopapular rash. In a typical presentation, which might be seen in under or unimmunized individuals, the rash spreads from the head to the trunk, and then out to the arms and legs. Measles in vaccinated individuals may present mildly, with low-grade or no fever and atypical rash.' KDHE health alert excerpt People infected with measles can infect about 12 to 18 others on average in a susceptible population. Typical measles cases take about 11-12 days to incubate with a rash appearing around two to four days after the first symptoms become apparent. The KDHE said the best protection against measles is vaccination. KTA pushes for nationwide KTAG compatibility For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Blizzard warning issued in northeast Kansas
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Meteorologists are warning people in northeast Kansas to prepare themselves for an approaching blizzard. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that a blizzard warning is in effect from 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4 through to 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5. People should expect between one and three inches of snow and wind gusts up to 65 mph, making travel hazardous in some places. Areas impacted by the blizzard warning include the following: Counties Marshall Nemaha Brown Riley Pottawatomie Jackson Jefferson Geary Wabaunsee Shawnee Douglas What is a snow squall warning? Cities/towns Grantville Paxico McLouth Alma Frankfort Eskridge Nortonville Sabetha Junction City Blue Rapids Meriden Harveyville St. Marys Horton McFarland Hiawatha Topeka Perry Oskaloosa Manhattan Wamego Seneca Maple Hill Marysville Alta Vista Lawrence Holton Valley Falls 27 News Meteorologist Ely Millard said on Tuesday, March 4 that people should expect high winds and thunderstorms for most of the day. Rain will begin to fall Tuesday evening but later transition to snow as temperatures drop, leading to possible whiteout conditions. Forecast Radar Closings/delays Current alerts KTA pushes for nationwide KTAG compatibility For more weather news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
KTA pushes for nationwide KTAG compatibility
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) is working to make travel both through and out of the Sunflower State easier for travelers on the road by including additional states in its new cashless tolling system. 27 News reached out to the KTA this week to find out what new states the agency is trying to include in KTAG, its electronic toll collection service. Drivers can currently use KTAG in only a handful of other states such as Oklahoma and Texas, along with, on a more limited basis, Florida and Colorado, which was only recently added to the list in the summer of 2024. The KTA currently accepts a limited number of transponders, such as KTAG, that are compatible on the turnpike. These include the following: BestPass – multiple states. Pikepass – Oklahoma. PrePass Plus – multiple states. EZ TAG – Texas. TxTag – Texas. TollTag – Texas. SunPass – Pro and Mini – Florida. ExpressToll – Colorado. Tax agents seize two Kansas Mexican restaurants for failure to pay $200,000 KTA spokeswoman Jeri Biehler said the KTA is one of the founding members for the Central US Interoperability Hub which includes Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. She said the KTA anticipates adding more southeastern states to its list of KTAG-compatible travel options with preliminary work already underway to add in some western states. 'KTA recognizes compatibility is something travelers want,' Biehler said. 'Compatibility improves the customer experience by minimizing the number of toll bills received and provides the lower electronic rate.' Biehler said the process of adding more states to be compatible with KTAG and the Central US Interoperability Hub is a difficult and drawn-out procedure that takes time before it can be fully realized. She said large-scale and expensive technology upgrades are required to make this happen. 'While partnerships between toll agencies seem relatively simple, they are not,' Biehler said. 'It takes a lot of time and effort to get independent systems to work seamlessly together. Besides reading a transponder on the roadway, compatibility includes how that data is captured and sent to the other toll agency for billing.' Do you still have to slow down for work zones on the weekend in Kansas? The KTA's end goal is to eventually make KTAG compatible with toll systems nationwide. However, Biehler emphasized that the goal requires more time and attention before it can be brought about. 'Although much work is still needed, progress toward nationwide compatibility is being made every day,' Biehler said. The KTA recently switched to a cashless toll system as part of a KTAG overhaul in 2024, resulting in the agency ditching its old toll booths to make travel a more seamless process across the state. Kansans interviewed by 27 News gave mixed opinions on the update, saying it was making travel more convenient while also eliminating some jobs. 'KTA continues to be customer-focused and is working with toll agencies across the country to increase compatibility,' Biehler said. 'With cashless tolling we're ready for the next steps.' You can learn more about cashless tolling in Kansas by clicking here. You can find out how to get a KTAG by clicking here or by visiting the KTA offices in Wichita, Lawrence or Topeka. What are 'sovereign citizen' license plates and are they legal? For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
