Ames Construction Celebrates Historic Completion of U.S. 69 Expansion Project
Marking the completion of a transformational $572 million project, U.S. 69 Express Constructors, a joint venture of Ames Construction and Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS), proudly joined the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA), the City of Overland Park, and public officials to celebrate the grand opening of the 69Express Project, a historic milestone for Kansas’ transportation infrastructure. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Tuesday, February 17, in Overland Park.
“From day one, we made a commitment to KDOT, the State of Kansas, and everyone who drives through this project area that we would deliver this project on time, on budget, and, above all, with a focus on safety. Throughout construction, we minimized traffic impacts to keep this vital roadway moving, and our team kept their eyes on the finish line. We are proud to announce that we reached our goals!” said Nick Ames, Senior Vice President - Mountain. “But, most importantly, none of this would be possible without the men and women who built this project. Our crews, subcontractors, suppliers, and inspection staff showed up day after day to keep the project moving safely and efficiently; their dedication was the backbone of all of this success.”
The three-year design-build project features the state’s first-ever express lanes constructed in Kansas, spanning 103rd Street to 151st Street, as well as a new 167th Street interchange. The corridor improvements enhance mobility, safety, and quality of life for commuters while showcasing the skill, dedication, and teams who logged nearly 1.2 million work hours to deliver the project safely, on time, and on budget—while maintaining traffic flow throughout construction.
Key improvements include 26 new bridges, more than 1.4 million square yards of new pavement, 11 noise walls, and the new 167th Street interchange, all delivered with a focus on safety, quality, and coordination.
Beyond infrastructure, the express lanes support more than $7 billion in annual regional economic activity, improve travel reliability, reduce congestion, shorten commutes, and enhance safety with fewer crashes and faster emergency response. Designed for long-term sustainability, the corridor is positioned to accommodate the projected quadrupling of peak travel times by 2050 and serve travelers for the next 50+ years.
Drivers can take advantage of seamless cashless tolling through DriveKS, with K-TAG users benefiting from the lowest rates, highlighting KTA’s commitment to convenience and efficiency.
Thank you to our client, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA), the City of Overland Park, project partners and stakeholders, the community for supporting this project, and the dedicated craft workers who made it possible.
Ribbon-cutting photo credit: Kansas Office of the Governor
