SLT 2nd most expensive project on state’s list

The South Lawrence Trafficway project is the second most expensive project on the state’s transportation to-do list, which was released Wednesday.

The estimated construction costs for the nearly six-mile stretch is $150 million, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

That was No. 2 behind the Johnson County Gateway interchange project at Kansas Highway 10 and Interstates 435 and 35 junction, which will cost $250 million.

KDOT put together a list of more than 430 projects that are under way or will be within the next year or so with a total price tag of $1.1 billion.

“The majority of these projects are considered preservation work and will protect the investment Kansans have made in their transportation system,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Mike King. “But there are also some big projects that will expand capacity on some of the state’s busiest corridors and spur economic development,” he said.

The contractor for the SLT is scheduled to be picked in September 2013 with construction scheduled to start later in the year and completed by October 2016.

Last month, the more than 20-year legal battle to stop the SLT from running through the Baker Wetlands ended.

Gov. Sam Brownback has said building the SLT was one of his top highway priorities within the state’s comprehensive transportation plan.

KDOT also included the $17 million interchange at Bob Billings Parkway and the SLT in west Lawrence in its priority list. That project is scheduled to start in the spring of 2014 and completed in late 2015.