The SLT Project FAQs
The SLT West Leg expansion will be constructed in two parts: the SOUTH PROJECT (from U.S. 40/6th Street to U.S. 59/Iowa Street), and the NORTH PROJECT (from U.S. 40/6th Street to North 1800 Road/Farmer’s Turnpike).
The construction corridor begins just north of Interstate 70 at North 1800 Road (Farmer’s Turnpike) and extend to just east of the existing K-10/23rd Street interchange.
The overall length is 19.0 miles and is broken down as follows:
- The West Leg SLT begins just north of Interstate 70 at North 1800 Road (Farmer’s Turnpike) to US-59/Iowa Street (approximately 8.7 miles);
- The East Leg SLT begins at US-59/Iowa Street and continues to the existing K-10/23rd Street system interchange (5.6 miles); and
- The project study area also includes East 600 Road/Lecompton Road at Interstate 70 (approximately 0.6 mile), and U.S. 40 from K-10 to E 600 Road (approximately 4.1 miles).
Construction for the south project is set to begin in fall 2024 and end in late 2028. The north project construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2025 and end in late 2028, overlapping the south project construction. Work for utility relocations impacted by the south project has already begun and will be completed throughout the south project construction schedule.
The south project includes expanding K-10 to a four-lane freeway between U.S. 40/6th Street and U.S. 59/Iowa Street; and interchange improvements at Clinton Parkway and U.S. 59/Iowa Street. Additionally, the Wakarusa Drive/27th Street intersection will be reconstructed as a grade separated interchange, allowing access to the local streets via ramps. New bridges will carry K-10 traffic over Wakarusa Drive/ 27th Street.
In June 2024, KDOT selected Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. and Subsidiaries as the contractor for the south project.
KDOT is in the final steps of acquiring the remaining properties or partial properties impacted by the south project. All right of way acquisitions are expected to be complete by the end of August 2024.
The north project construction is anticipated to begin in fall of 2025 (once a contractor has been selected) and end in late 2028, overlapping the south project construction.
The north project will expand K-10 to a four-lane freeway from U.S. 40/6th Street to North 1800 Road/Farmer’s Turnpike and reconstruct the existing I-70/KTA interchange.
A contractor for the north project will be selected in the fall of 2025.
The contractor is required to provide a construction schedule to KDOT, including anticipated closure times and durations. While these are estimated, the contractor will update as construction progresses. Information will be shared on KDOT’s Northeast Kansas Facebook and X/Twitter pages, as well as the project website: slt-ks.ksdot.gov.
Stakeholders can stay informed by attending scheduled public meetings, or requesting a specific meeting for your community group. You can also sign up for project updates and ask questions by emailing the project team at info@SLT-KS.org.
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The June 2024 bid price submitted by Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. for the south project was $170.6 million. The north project has not yet been released/advertised for bid. Estimated construction costs for the north project are approximately $88 million (Fiscal Year 2026).
Funding for both projects has been secured and construction on the south project will start later in 2024, and the north project is expected to being in 2025.
No. The SLT will not be a toll road. KDOT evaluated whether tolling was a feasible option to pay for transportation improvements and determined it was not the appropriate solution for the SLT.
An at-grade intersection is where a local road intersects a highway at the same elevation, or grade. This requires vehicles to stop on one roadway when the other roadway has the right of way. A grade separated interchange is when a local road crosses over or under the highway and ramps are used to enter or exit the highway.
In the Build Alternatives, KDOT plans to construct a grade separated interchange at the future Wakarusa Drive and K-10 Interchange. The grade separation will allow K-10 vehicles to pass unimpeded over Wakarusa on new bridge(s). Highway ramps will be added to allow vehicles access between K-10 and Wakarusa. This new configuration would be similar to the grade separated interchange that exists at K-10 and Iowa/US-59, where K-10 through traffic can pass freely over Iowa/US-59 via the bridges or utilize the highway ramps for access into Lawrence.
Click here to see the existing at-grade intersection.
Click here to see the potential grade separated interchange.
Construction on the north project is schedule to be let for bid in 2025. It will expand K-10 from U.S. 40/6th Street to North 1800 Road/Farmer’s Turnpike, as well as reconstruct the existing I-70/KTA interchange. There will still be access to Farmer’s Turnpike.
Yes. Improvements to K-10/SLT will enhance options for bicycles and pedestrian use around the corridor.
When the initial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed in 1990, there wasn’t enough traffic projected for this corridor to justify constructing a four-lane roadway at that time, so the initial two lanes of a future four-lane expressway were built for the West Leg from I-70 to US-59.
KDOT has been planning for necessary improvements to the West Leg for several years, which is why they initiated a West Leg SLT Concept Study in 2014. The timing for this SEIS was dependent on available funding and meeting the necessary requirements of the FHWA.
All at-grade intersections throughout the corridor were evaluated for potential interim design improvements. KDOT implemented one change with the closure of Kasold/East 1200 Road/K-10. Additionally, advanced warning devices and traffic separators were installed in 2019 by the traffic signal at 27th Street/Wakarusa Drive/K-10.
Yes, the following interim improvements were made:
– North Junction (K-10/I-70) – Light pole for K-10/Farmer’s Turnpike, Construction Fall 2019
– North Junction (K-10/I-70) – Pavement markings and rumble strips, timeline TBD
– K-10/27th – Queue Backup Warning System, Operational Summer 2019
– K-10/27th – Advanced Signal Warning System, Construction Spring 2020
– K-10/27th – Interim Intersection Improvements Study, Report Complete Fall 2019
– SLT Corridor (I-70 to East 23rd St. Interchange) – Three Dynamic Message Signs, Construction Spring 2020
An Environmental Impact Statement or EIS is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for certain projects that include federal funding or require federal action, such as from the Federal Highway Administration. The EIS evaluates the impacts a proposed improvements will have on the natural and man-made environment. It is designed to help agencies, elected officials, and the public make sound decisions for the project and its surrounding area. An EIS is one type of environmental document necessary to secure federal clearance and funding for transportation improvements.
A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) reviews the findings of an existing EIS to consider new or additional environmental impacts based on the introduction of new improvement options and/or major changes in the natural environment or communities. The South Lawrence Trafficway SEIS will evaluate if – and how – upgrading the corridor to a freeway, modifying access, and exploring new funding mechanisms alter the impacts and recommendations previously identified through the 1990 EIS and 2008 East Leg EIS.