Tolling Gaining Traction for Highway Projects in Kansas

After the state broke ground on a tolled express lane project at the eastern edge of Kansas, near Kansas City, tolls are also under consideration in the nascent stages of a corridor study located at the southwest edge of the same region.

1 minute read

August 21, 2023, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Options for investments along a 17.5-mile stretch of State Highway 10 where it runs through Johnson County, Kansas could include tolling.

Kaylie McLaughlin reports that consultants from HNTB are currently working on a corridor study for the state of Kansas—only the most recent study in a series of studies over the years, according to the article.

“Now, as traffic continues to increase and growth in the western part of the county booms, state and local leaders are looking at K-10 again, particularly the area between Cedar Creek Parkway in Olathe and where K-10 ends at I-435 in Lenexa,” writes McLaughlin. Poor repair and safety issues are also cited as a need for the investments along the corridor.

But tolls are the headlining topic of discussion in the study. “One solution discussed at length was the potential to add an express toll lane on K-10 through Johnson County, likely mostly in Lenexa, where traffic picks up closer to I-435,” reports McLaughlin.

According to McLaughlin, tolling is a relatively novel approach for the state of Kansas, but the state recently began work on express toll lanes along U.S. Highway 69 in Overland Park.  

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in Shawnee Mission Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

1 hour ago - The Washington Post

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps

New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

June 13 - U.S. Department Of Transportation