Project Overview

The K-254 NW Expressway is a major infrastructure and growth corridor project focused on the future connection of K-96 to US-400 (Kellogg) near the Wichita/Goddard city limits.
This long-term initiative will improve regional mobility, support future housing and commercial development, and enhance connectivity across Sedgwick County.
The goal: to design and guide responsible growth that benefits residents, businesses, and the broader community.

Why It Matters

Connects underserved areas to opportunity
Supports economic development
Can address the need for regional flood control
Helps reduce congestion in key traffic corridors
Creates a framework for housing, business, and open space planning

Project History

1997 – Initial Major Investment Study

1999 – Metropolitan Area Planning Department identified the Northwest By-Pass in its Comprehensive Plan Update

2002 – City of Wichita passed a resolution to buy right of way for the corridor

2003 – City of Wichita, with local input, sited a new wastewater treatment plant at 135th St. W. and 45th St. N., anticipating growth tied to the highway project

2005 – Right of Way Plan became available, though KDOT had limited funds for acquisition

2007 – Corridor Preservation Overlay adopted within the Unified Zoning Code (DER2007-00009), restricting development to protect the bypass corridor
(Note: No programmed construction remains in KDOT’s long-term plans, raising legal concerns about land-use restrictions.)

2010 – T-WORKS program passed

State budgeted $5,075,000 for right-of-way acquisitions

2:1 state-local funding match through 2015; adjusted to 1:1 from 2016–2020

$13,000,000 spent by November 2015

Total budget: $51,000,000

2010–2015+ – Right-of-way acquired in Sedgwick County, including Maize and Goddard

2024–2025 – Community input, preliminary planning

2026–2028 – Right-of-way studies, environmental review

2029–2035+ – Phased construction and development

This is a multi-decade plan. Each step builds momentum for the next.