The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the city of Wichita a more than $53 million through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Program grant for K-96 improvements.
The program provides funding for transportation projects of national or regional significance.
Funding will support approximately 9.5 miles of planned improvements to K-96 between I-135 and I-35. Work includes widening portions of the highway from four lanes to six lanes and upgrading several interchanges. The grant application was a joint effort between the city and the Kansas Department of Transportation.
“K-96 is a vital connection between Wichita and surrounding communities,” Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said. “These improvements will make travel safer and more reliable, help people get to work, help businesses move goods and support our region’s continued growth.”
The federal grant will fund two of four planned K-96 projects. The Blue Project will extend from midway between the Oliver and Woodlawn interchanges on the west to midway between the Rock and Webb interchanges on the east. The Orange Project extends from the K-96/I-135 interchange near Hydraulic Avenue on the west to midway between the Oliver and Woodlawn interchanges on the east. Both projects include interchange work.
The construction of the Red and Yellow K-96 projects is dependent upon funding availability.