loader-logo

About

Purpose

  • Promote development of the Northwest Expressway, including the extension of K-254 to US-400 (US 54/Kellogg)
  • Assure fiscal responsibility of stakeholders to taxpayers, including past and future property acquisitions and investments.
  • Support and promote orderly development within the corridor by establishing relationships with public and private sector entities along the corridor.
  • Promote improved safety along the Northwest Expressway Corridor.
  • Promote efficient and safe movement of commercial traffic in the region.
  • Provide a marketing function, in coordination with existing development agencies, for the corridor.
  • Act as an advisory group to member communities and interests along the corridor regarding safety and development along the corridor.
  • Collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders, including members of the public, to advocate for the development of the best transportation system in the region and the State of Kansas.

The Vision and the Need

  • First envisioned in the late 1990s
  • 1998 Major Investment Study projected rapid growth across Maize, Goddard, and West Wichita
  • Growth has far outpace original forecasts – future planning is now a present-day need

Reality Today

  • Maize & Goddard: Among Kansas’ fastest-growing cities for 15+ years
  • West Wichita: Major commercial, residential, ad employment expansion
  • The Expressway is essential to manage growth, mobility, and future development

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

Leadership

This project is guided by a coalition of public and private stakeholders.

Bryan Frye – Former Wichita City Council Member
David Dennis – Former Sedgwick County Commissioner
Tim Austin, PE – Consulting Engineer

Local Agencies – Working with city, county, and regional partners

Bryan Frye

Former Wichita City Council Member

David Dennis

Former Sedgwick County Commissioner

Tim Austin

Professional Engineer

Partners

Lange Real Estate

Leading community outreach and coalition coordination

Iron Horse Development

Leading community outreach and coalition coordination

Ascension Via Christi

Providing strategic leadership and investment in the community

From the Community

format_quote

“Improving connectivity in west Sedgwick County through the Northwest Expressway would benefit families, businesses, and the entire community. With Via Christi St. Teresa as the only full-service hospital in west Wichita, the Expressway would also provide faster, more reliable access to quality care for thousands of people.”

Lori Tackett

President, Via Christi St. Teresa
format_quote

“At LANGE we see the future of whatever projects we can be doing to enhance the communities we serve. We have taken a lead position on the NW Expressway so that we can change that pattern of the past and make this infrastructure project happen versus just being talked about. And then, we will start working on what’s next.”

Jeff Lange

format_quote

“The Northwest Expressway is an unfulfilled commitment that not only benefits Wichita and Sedgwick County but the entire State of Kansas. The long-term economic viability of this region is dependent upon public investment in this project.”

Tim Austin

Professional Engineer
format_quote

“The Wichita Area Builders Association (WABA) proudly supports the Northwest Expressway, which will strengthen connections between some of the fastest growing communities in Kansas, improve traffic flow, and open new corridors for commercial and residential development. By creating more efficient transportation routes, this project will not only ease congestion for existing neighborhoods, but also attract new businesses, create jobs, and increase housing opportunities for families in the south central Kansas region.”

Tyler York

President & CEO of WABA
format_quote

“I fully support the Northwest Expressway — a vital connection linking our fastest-growing cities while protecting our rural roads from heavy truck traffic. With millions of taxpayer dollars already invested, it’s time to finish this project and guide growth responsibly as urban development pushes into northwest Sedgwick County. This is the infrastructure our future depends on.”

Stephanie Wise

Sedgwick County Commissioner
format_quote

“The Northwest Expressway is about more than just roads — it’s about unlocking opportunity for the entire western Sedgwick County region. As a small-town mayor and business owner, I see firsthand how vital connectivity is to growth and success. This kind of investment supports our local economy, strengthens our link to regional development, and helps ensure communities like Colwich remain part of the bigger picture for Kansas’ future.”

Jay Purkey

Mayor of Colwich
format_quote

“The Northwest Expressway will connect two of the fastest growing cities in the state. Completion of the project will have a huge return on investment and economic impact on the region.”

David Dennis

Former Sedgwick County Commissioner

A unified plan for Wichita’s growth.

The K-254 NW Expressway project connects key areas, supports economic development, and lays the groundwork for future housing and business corridors in Sedgwick County.
Get Involved

20+

Years of Strategic Planning

3.2K

Acres Identified for Development

95%

Coalition Support Rate

12+

Community Stakeholders Involved

100K

Residents Impacted Long-Term