The most congested highway in Johnson County could get $300M expansion — with tolls

Officials with the Kansas Department of Transportation and Overland Park on Thursday said funding a $300 million expansion of U.S. 69 — the most congested four-lane highway in the state — could likely mean adding toll lanes.

During his annual State of the City address, Mayor Carl Gerlach said improving the infamously backed-up highway is one of the city’s top priorities — saying that leaders have been “knocking on doors, texting and calling state and federal representatives,” pleading for support.

The city and Kansas Turnpike Authority are conducting a study to determine the financial feasibility of widening U.S. 69 to six lanes from 103rd to 151st streets. Gerlach said the preliminary cost estimate is $300 million.