Newsroom
Check back to see News Releases and Media Advisories released by the K-96 Improvements Project.
Media inquiries should be directed to:
JB Wilson
Wichita Metro Public Information Officer, KDOT
Office: (316) 337-7331
Cell: (316) 217-0356
Email: JB.Wilson@ks.gov
Recent News: Review K-96 Improvements Project e-Newsletters in the Newsfeed below.
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SAVE THE DATE: K-96 Improvements Project Next Open House (March 2024)
The K-96 Improvements Project Team is making strides in the Preliminary Design Phase of the project.
Over the course of the last year, community members, property owners, and local leaders have shared their feedback to inform the project team, and this has resulted in the team refining the preliminary design concepts along the corridor.
The team has also completed steps in order to create the draft Environmental Assessment document, including traffic and noise studies, and reviewing effects of preliminary concepts on parkland and wildlife, as well as soil sample drilling.
We are excited to announce that KDOT, the City of Wichita, and Sedgwick County will be hosting an Open House this April to gather public feedback on these Preferred Design Alternatives and the draft Environmental Assessment findings.
Join us at this public hearing to meet the project team, learn about project progress, and provide your input!
If you haven't already, please take a moment to sign up on the K-96 Project Website and engage with the project on social media on Facebook, X, and YouTube for detailed information on the upcoming Open House.
In late February, KDOT will resume drilling work to test soils along the K-96 corridor to prepare the team for future work on the K-96 Improvements Project. During this process, samples are collected for analysis to determine safe locations to construct retaining walls, in addition to other improvements. Drilling is anticipated to occur through April of 2024, and testing typically takes about 6 months. Completing this work in advance helps inform final design and construction.
The K-96 Improvements Project is making headlines! Learn more about the project in these recent articles:
Renderings for K-96 Project Show Off Latest in Digital Design Tools
Wichita Business JournalExpanding K-96
Roads & Bridges MagazineMajor Improvements Coming to Wichita's K-96
Midwest ContractorKansas Highway Upgrade Planned
World Highways
The K-96 Improvements Project includes improvements to the ramp connecting northbound I-135 to eastbound K-96, which will complement highway system upgrades already underway as part of the Wichita North Junction Project. The ramp is anticipated to be expanded from one lane to two lanes to accommodate future traffic growth while meeting the project’s goals of enhancing safety, improving capacity, and relieving congestion.
Thank you,
The K-96 Improvements Project Team
This project is being delivered by IKE – The Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program. IKE is a roughly $10 billion investment in the future of Kansas. This program and the transportation improvements it will deliver play a key role in our state’s economic recovery, putting Kansans to work and improving quality of life.
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On the Road Again with K-96 Improvements Project Team! (August 2023)
The K-96 Improvements Project Team hit the road this spring to share project benefits, preliminary designs, and projected timeline with the public.
Project Manager Jake Borchers presented at Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meetings to explain how the project would benefit all road users.
The Rotary Clubs of Downtown Wichita and East Wichita invited the team to share information about the proposed Diverging Diamond Interchange concept with their members. Hundreds of Rotarians in Wichita are community leaders, business owners, and non-profit organizers, and many of them took the time to share their feedback on how improvements to K-96 would benefit our growing community.
The team also presented at a Bel Aire Chamber of Commerce meeting to discuss how the project will increase capacity to handle regional growth, such as the future increase in commuters traveling to the newly proposed Integra Technologies headquarters location in Bel Aire.
If you would like to request the K-96 Improvements Project Team present to your neighborhood association or organization, please contact info@K96IMPROVEMENTS.com for more information.
At the request of State Representative KC Ohaebosim (District 89), our design team presented on the K-96 Improvements Project to the Kansas South Central Legislative Delegation Luncheon on April 3, 2023, at the State Capitol.
We learned a great deal from their feedback, and we appreciate the insights and support from our Kansas government leaders. Their input is valued as we consider improvements to keep Kansans moving.
The formal Environmental Assessment (EA) process for the project is underway and is anticipated to be complete in early 2024. The new Environmental Assessment webpage on the K-96 Improvements Project website will share study findings as they are completed, such as information on mitigating impacts to monarch butterfly migratory locations. Currently, construction is anticipated to take four years to complete and could begin as early as 2027.
The timeline is subject to change as the project evolves. While the project has an anticipated construction schedule, funding has not been allocated at this time. Following the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE Program) requirements, funding is not allocated for construction projects more than two years ahead of construction. After the completion of the Environmental Assessment, the Right-of-Way Process may begin. If selected for the IKE construction pipeline, Final Design activities for the project will include utilities relocation.If you haven't already, please take a moment to sign up on the K-96 Project Website and engage with the project on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for detailed information on upcoming community engagement events.
Thank you,
The K-96 Improvements Project Team
This project is being delivered by IKE – The Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program. IKE is a roughly $10 billion investment in the future of Kansas. This program and the transportation improvements it will deliver play a key role in our state’s economic recovery, putting Kansans to work and improving quality of life.
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K-96 Open House Welcomed the Community (February 2023)
KDOT and its partners hosted the first open house for the K-96 Improvements Project from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023.
We welcomed more than 120 community members to meet KDOT and City of Wichita staff, as well as members of the design team. The open house provided the opportunity for community members to communicate directly with the design team, ask questions, and learn more about the project by viewing fact sheets, information, maps, and videos.
Information about the project was shared, including the project timeline, details about the Environmental Assessment process, and three-dimensional renderings demonstrating design concepts for the seven interchanges along the K-96 corridor. Neighborhood and community leaders, local elected officials, property owners, residents, business owners, and K-96 commuters brought their ideas for K-96 improvements, and the design team was available to listen and answer questions.
K-96 Improvements Project Manager Jake Borchers gave a presentation on the need and benefits of the project and introduced two interchange design concepts that would be new to Wichita: the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) and the Displaced Left Turn Interchange (DLT).
We are grateful to everyone who joined us and shared their comments to help make the K-96 Improvements Project a success!
...to Ensure Community-Informed Solutions
The K-96 Improvements Project team is reviewing the public feedback received at the open house and through the project website and considering the feedback as they create final design concepts, which will be presented to the public later this year. The formal Environmental Assessment process for the project has begun and is anticipated to be completed in early 2024. Starting in 2024, we will finalize the design of the K-96 Improvements Project and begin preconstruction. Construction could begin as early as 2026.
Project Timeline
The timeline is subject to change as the project evolves. While the project has an anticipated construction schedule, funding has not been allocated at this time. Following the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE Program) requirements, funding is not allocated for construction projects more than two years ahead of construction.
We Want To Hear From You
If you were unable to attend the open house, or if you did join us but have more thoughts to share, it's not too late! Visit K96Improvements.com/open-house to view the materials from the event. From the display boards and table-top maps, to the educational and project overview videos, to the presentation, you can review them your convenience and submit your feedback through March 10, 2023.
You can also call 316-290-9691 or email info@K96Improvements.com with any questions or concerns.
When you check out the K-96 Improvements Project website, be sure to sign-up for updates and see when the team hits the road to talk about the project.
From recent District Advisory Board meetings and WAMPO committees, to the upcoming Open House this winter, you won’t want to miss a stop on the K-96 Road Show. You can also engage with the project on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Thank you,
The K-96 Improvements Project Team -
K-96 Keeps Kansans Moving (November 2022)
KDOT is improving K-96 to prepare for and meet the demands of future growth in our city and region by enhancing safety, relieving congestion and increasing capacity.
The K-96 Improvements Project aims to upgrade the K-96 corridor between I-135 and I-35. Improvements are needed to keep Kansans moving. Through traffic engineering studies and environmental review, the project is exploring pavement replacement, adding new lanes and upgrading the Woodlawn, Rock and Webb interchanges.
Currently, the K-96 Improvements Project is in the Preliminary Design phase.
From increasing freeway capacity to making interchange improvements and coordinating traffic signals, these enhancements can help reduce queuing on sideroads and ramps. This project is following a phased and deliberate process to engage the community in project solutions.Project Timeline
The project is currently underway with early stages of investigative work. From 2022 to 2023 we will explore potential design concepts along with environmental review to assess environmental, economic and social impacts. We’ll need your input on the findings from both the design and environmental review work – information on these meetings coming soon!
Sign up to join our mailing list for project updates.Starting in 2024, we will finalize the design of the K-96 improvements and complete preconstruction activities. Construction could begin as early as 2026.
*The timeline is subject to change as the project evolves. While the project has an anticipated construction schedule, funding has not been allocated at this time. Following The Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE Program) requirements, funding is not allocated for construction projects more than two years ahead of construction.
We Want To Hear From You
K-96 is an important link in our community for moving people and goods. We need your input to ensure that improvements reflect the needs of our diverse communities.
Visit our project website to participate in an interactive map, take a poll, or submit a comment. You can also call 316-290-9691 or email info@K96Improvements.com.
Sign-up to receive project updates! Stay involved and learn more about the K-96 Improvements Project by signing up to receive email updates about the project and upcoming events.
K-96 Road Show
When you check out the K-96 project website, be sure to sign-up for updates to receive alerts about when the Design Team hits the road to talk about the project. From recent District Advisory Board meetings and WAMPO committees, to the upcoming Open House this winter, you won’t want to miss a stop on the K-96 Road Show. You can also engage with the project on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Thank you,
The K-96 Improvements Project Team
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Featured Videos
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K-96 is getting a facelift. You’ll see improvements from the I-135 Junction to the Webb and Greenwich area. Work has already started, but you may not have seen much movement. Find out why in this video.
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