I-70 Expansion Approved: KTA to Widen Highway Near Lawrence

Widening I-70 Through Lawrence Wins Approval as Kansas Turnpike Targets Bottlenecks

Drivers on the eastern stretches of the Kansas Turnpike will soon encounter a major multi-year construction zone designed to permanently reshape regional transit. A $136.6 million project to widen a nine-mile stretch of Interstate 70 through Douglas and Leavenworth counties has officially secured approval, with heavy machinery slated to move into place this coming spring.

According to reporting from the Lawrence Journal-World, the Kansas Turnpike Authority awarded the construction contract to Wildcat Construction, Inc. to convert the vital four-lane corridor into a modern six-lane highway. The ambitious undertaking addresses a commuter bottleneck where the turnpike transitions from six lanes down to four just east of the East Lawrence interchange.

From Bottleneck to Three-Lane Corridor

The expansion project begins just east of the East Lawrence interchange and stretches eastward to a point just east of the Tonganoxie/Eudora interchange. For commuters, commercial truckers, and travelers crossing the state, the upgrade aims to ease congestion and accommodate future growth between the Kansas City metro area and the state’s interior.

Glen Scott, chief engineer for the KTA, pointed directly to the operational demands driving the investment. “This investment is about preparing the Turnpike for the future while continuing to provide the reliable roadway our customers depend on every day,” Scott said in a recent press release. By adding a third lane in each direction across the nine-mile corridor, the agency hopes to build structural capacity for future regional growth.

I-70 Expansion Approved: KTA to Widen Highway Near Lawrence

Construction Zone Through 2029

Commuters bracing for years of orange cones and lane shifts will find some relief in the agency’s traffic management plan. Jeri Biehler, a spokesperson for the KTA, confirmed that contractors will maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction on I-70 throughout the entire duration of the project.

Even with continuous two-way capacity, motorists should anticipate occasional disruptions. Limited single-lane closures will occur during off-peak travel times, accompanied by reduced speed limits and potential width restrictions for overly wide loads. Construction is scheduled to kick off in mid-March, with a projected completion date stretching to mid-June 2029.

Bridge Replacements Close Loring Road and 214th Street

Beyond the interstate mainline, the $135 million-plus overhaul requires the complete replacement of two key overhead bridges that cross the turnpike. The first structure sits on Loring Road near the Lawrence Service Area, while the second carries 214th Street near Tonganoxie.

Both local roads will face full closures while crews demolish and rebuild the spans. To mitigate local disruptions, the KTA has outlined specific detour routes for area residents:

Eastbound traffic on Loring Road will route north on U.S. 24 Highway, east along Cantrell Road, and south on 238th Street back to Loring Road.
Northbound traffic on 214th Street will route east on Stillwell Road, north on 206th Street, and west on Hemphill Road back to 214th Street.

Motorists traveling through the corridor are urged by turnpike officials to heed posted speed limits, eliminate driving distractions, and plan extra commuting time as work commences this March.