Wildcat Construction wins $136.6 million job to widen 9 miles of I-70 in Kansas
The Kansas Turnpike Authority awarded Wildcat Construction Co. a $136,624,645 contract to widen nine miles of I-70 in Douglas and Leavenworth counties from four lanes to six and replace two overhead bridges. Work could begin in mid-March 2027.
The job covers mile markers 204.5 to 213.5 on the Kansas Turnpike, which carries I-70 past Lawrence. According to the Lawrence Journal-World, it begins a little west of the East Lawrence interchange, where the road already has three westbound lanes but only two eastbound, and extends the six-lane layout east to a point past the Tonganoxie/Eudora interchange.
KTA expects construction to start March 15, 2027, at the earliest and wrap up by June 15, 2029, WIBW reported. Chief engineer Glen Scott said the added lane in each direction is meant to ease congestion and improve safety as traffic grows.
Two lanes will stay open each way for the whole job, KTA spokesperson Jeri Biehler told the Journal-World. Drivers should expect some single-lane closures outside rush hours, lower speed limits and possible width limits for oversize loads. The bridges being replaced carry Loring Road, just before the Lawrence Service Area, and 214th Street near Tonganoxie. Both roads will be closed while the work goes on. Planned detours send Loring Road drivers over U.S. 24, Cantrell Road and 238th Street, and 214th Street drivers over Stillwell Road, 206th Street and Hemphill Road.
KTA has not released a phasing plan or said how long each bridge will be out of service. It said it will publish traffic details later.
Why it matters: Bridge and widening work on this stretch can start in March 2027, so subs and suppliers around Lawrence and Kansas City should be talking to Wildcat now. Haulers should plan for the Loring Road and 214th Street closures.
Sources
- KTA invests $136.6 million to widen portion of I-70WIBW, Oct 27
- Kansas Turnpike Authority to convert key stretch of I-70 to six lanes through LawrenceLawrence Journal-World, Oct 27