Kansas Department of Transportation officials updated the commission on the Highway 69 corridor study and design progress on Oct. 14. KDOT said survey work is complete and design is underway for a set of “committed projects” programmed for construction before 2030; a second group of larger projects is at the design/programming stage with no construction funds currently allocated.

KDOT project manager Steve Rockers and area engineer Jeff Fisher said the study prioritized two goals: enhance safety and improve mobility. Fisher noted left‑turn collisions are a common serious crash type and identified the Quincy intersection as both a safety and level‑of‑service concern. “We’re gonna be talking about a Quincy roundabout which eliminates left‑hand turn lanes and also eliminates the more than 15 seconds that the average traveler would spend at that signal,” Fisher said.

KDOT listed 11 committed projects on the corridor, including intersection signal upgrades with video detection and advanced warning systems, signing and stripe improvements, shoulder rumble strips and a Pittsburgh segment that includes street lighting. The Quincy roundabout was described as the largest single committed construction item — KDOT estimated about $5 million for that roundabout and an $8 million construction program for the committed projects overall. Officials said smaller items and bundling of projects are possible during final design.

A second set of nine projects is under development and programmed for design; these include additional intersection improvements, potential roundabouts and lane additions for turning and acceleration movements. KDOT said the under‑development projects are on a 5‑to‑10‑year schedule and do not yet have construction funding.

Next steps include property owner and business outreach, field checks during preliminary final design, public open houses next summer, and eventual letting (contract award) once design and funding align. KDOT also said it is pursuing other committed signal projects tied to the corridor, with one signal upgrade at Centennial already let and construction anticipated early next January.

Why it matters: the corridor improvements are intended to reduce serious crashes and improve travel times on a major regional route. For Pittsburgh residents and businesses, projects that add lighting, signal upgrades and intersection redesigns could change travel patterns and access at several city intersections.

Ending: KDOT committed to continuing public engagement through field checks and open houses and said some of the committed projects can be completed within the current 10‑year program.