HNTB served as KDOT’s project management consultant from early planning through construction
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Feb. 23, 2026) – The Kansas Department of Transportation’s first price-managed lanes project, U.S. 69 Express Lanes, is officially open, marking a major milestone for one of the region’s most heavily traveled corridors. HNTB served as KDOT’s project management consultant to deliver the largest project in the department’s history.
A ribbon‑cutting ceremony held Feb. 17 marked the project’s completion with remarks provided by Gov. Laura Kelly, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed, Mayor of Overland Park Curt Skoog, and other state and local officials.
Delivered in partnership with the Kansas Turnpike Authority and the City of Overland Park, the project increases mobility, enhances safety and improves overall infrastructure conditions along the state’s busiest four-lane highway. The work reconstructed seven miles of U.S. 69 and included 26 new or rehabilitated bridges, improvements to six interchanges, four reconstructed or widened arterial streets, 11 noise walls and one new express lane in each direction.
“This project demonstrates what is possible when agencies and industry partners come together around a shared vision for mobility,” said Cameron McGown, PE, Kansas practice leader and vice president at HNTB. “The express lanes position the corridor to ensure reliable travel while addressing the region’s growth and long‑term transportation needs.”
As project management consultant, HNTB provided services across the full project lifecycle, including toll feasibility analysis, preliminary engineering, environmental approvals, public communication support, design‑build procurement, design oversight, toll education, construction inspection and assistance with toll system integration. Construction of the project was delivered by a Joint-Venture of Ames Construction and Emery Sapp & Sons. Toll system integration was delivered by the Kansas Turnpike Authority with their toll system integrator, TransCore.
HNTB also led the implementation of digital construction management tools, including a mobile field data collection application that replaced paper-based inspections, enabled real-time reporting and improved on-site efficiency and issue resolution.
“Working in close collaboration with the Joint Venture, the project team developed a streamlined delivery approach and leveraged advanced technology to meet the JV’s desire to accelerate the schedule and deliver U.S. 69 Express to the public 10 months ahead of the contract schedule,” said Jesse Kuhlen, PE, project manager and associate vice president at HNTB.