See top Kansas officials laud opening of long-awaited express lane in JoCo
A new toll lane in Johnson County is almost open for business.
The 69 Highway Express Lane will start accepting drivers looking for an expedited commute on Saturday, Feb. 21.
On Tuesday, Gov. Laura Kelly and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids spoke about the project’s intended impact for Kansas residents.
“As our state’s busiest four-lane highway, addressing congestion to keep everyone and everything moving, and moving safely, is a top priority,” said Kelly, who noted that the U.S. 69 Corridor generates roughly $7 billion in economic activity annually.
“By investing in our transportation system, we’re creating opportunities for productivity and economic growth — not just here in Johnson County, but all across our state,” she said.
The $572 million project was paid with federal, state and local tax dollars. The city of Overland Park contributed $30 million, which is expected to be paid back with toll revenue by 2042.
Davids described the project as a generational investment.
“Right now, we’re living off of the infrastructure that our grandparents and sometimes great-grandparents built,” said Davids, who called herself “an infrastructure nerd.”
“This is one of those steps for us to build for our grandchildren and their children,” she said of the new express lane.
The price of using the toll lane depends on a variety of factors, including the time of day, number of axles on a vehicle, distance driven and payment method. When the lane opens in February, a ride on the express lane could cost between $0.35 and $3.50.
Take a closer look at the Tuesday press conference to mark the highway’s opening, from The Star’s Dominick Williams.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 5:57 PM.