K-68 Expansion

With funding available through the IKE program and increased traffic, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) was ready to put their planned expansion of K-68 into action. The new design, which has been in the works for years, will transform the 2-lane highway into a 4-lane, divided, asphalt expressway. Our team conducted the preliminary engineering study and was later selected to design the project.

Improving traffic flow has been an important component of this project. For this site, our work has extended beyond the highway. Direct access via driveways will be eliminated, and instead, side roads will connect to K-68. As a result, we’ll be putting new asphalt on these roads as well. To walk residents through the benefits of these new traffic patterns, we’ve held numerous public meetings.

In addition to our highway team, our stormwater and structural groups have been heavily involved in the project. Two new bridges will be constructed over North Wea Creek. The existing bridge over Wea Creek will be replaced for the westbound traffic, and a new bridge will be built for the eastbound lanes. Hydraulic analysis has been conducted for both bridges. We’ve also evaluated the 16 culverts under K-68 and analyzed the drainage.