KDOT Secretary: Midpoint of IKE Program Shows Delivery but Inflation Will Reduce What Can Be Built

Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed told the Senate Transportation Committee that the state has reached the midpoint of the 10-year Eisenhower Legacy Transportation (IKE) program, and while KDOT has delivered substantial work, construction inflation and constrained revenue will limit the quantity of projects completed.

"We have been able to deliver meaningful progress across the state," Reed said, citing improvements to more than 9,500 highway miles and roughly 575 bridges since the program began. But he warned that inflation has outpaced revenue growth: "Prices in 2025 are about 66% higher than they were in 2021," Reed said, and the revised program spending projection is about $11,500,000,000, roughly 16% higher than the original estimate.

Reed told senators that revenues into IKE have been about 20% higher than 2020 projections, driven largely by sales tax and federal reimbursements, but motor fuel tax receipts have remained flat for decades, reducing purchasing power. He said KDOT is prioritizing preservation and projects that give the most benefit to Kansans while using local consult meetings — more than 1,000 Kansans participated in the latest round — to refine priorities.

On specific projects, Reed highlighted the Paul Quincy Viaduct project in Topeka (selected in the development pipeline in 2021, local contribution of more than $20,000,000, construction began December 2024, expected completion in 2027) and the US 69 Express project in Overland Park, a $570,000,000 design‑build that will add lanes and the state’s first express toll lanes. Reed said the tolling contractor is in final testing and KDOT anticipates opening in February.

Reed also summarized IKE-funded local programs: a cost-share program that has awarded 146 projects in 76 counties (about $95,000,000 state investment), local bridge programs that have rehabilitated or replaced more than 200 poor-condition bridges, and economic development awards totaling about $103,000,000. He reiterated an $8,000,000-per-county investment promise tied to IKE and said KDOT had met that benchmark in 101 of 105 counties.

Committee members pressed Reed on several items. Senator Klee questioned inflation comparisons and whether projected construction outcomes could recover; Reed clarified the bridge comparison was relative to 2003 (the last motor‑fuel tax adjustment) and said KDOT projects motor-fuel tax revenue to remain relatively flat unless the rate is adjusted. On concerns about contractor capacity after COVID, Reed said the bidding environment has improved and many projects now receive multiple competitive bids.

Senator Byers raised constituent reports of fraudulent texts tied to toll billing (K‑Tag/DriveKS). Reed said the scams had subsided and emphasized, "KDOT will never send you a text message and ask for money." He encouraged enrollment in DriveKS/K‑Tag for convenience and cost savings while noting the turnpike authority would provide technical details on the billing system.

Reed warned that federal support will shape the second half of IKE: with the current federal surface transportation authorization (IIJA) expiring in September, he said KDOT is advocating for formulas that preserve federal predictability and a designated funding stream for bridges. Reed also flagged event-year planning for the summer (World Cup matches in Kansas City, Route 66 centennial tourism and related travel), and said KDOT will aim to limit construction lane closures during high-demand periods.

The committee thanked Reed for the briefing; Reed closed prepared remarks and offered to provide modeling (including revenue forecasts for US 69 tolling) to the committee on request. The meeting adjourned with no further committee votes.