Bids for work on U.S. 69 in Kansas exceeded the amount the state had budgeted for the project. The difference between the bids and the $430 million KDOT estimated were “substantial,” according to a press release.
“We remain committed to completing U.S. 69 as promised,” said KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz in a prepared statement. “DOTs and contractors nationwide are having to navigate an unprecedented amount of uncertainty due to inflation. We’re taking additional steps to ensure we’re delivering this project as cost-effectively as possible for taxpayers while also minimizing the impact on the schedule to complete this much-needed project.”
The department will “work with” the two teams that presented bids to modify the request for proposal to “drive down the project costs,” according to the release, and will ask for revised bids in response.
The U.S. 69 project includes widening U.S. 69 from four lanes to six lanes from 151st Street to 103rd Street in Overland Park. The new lanes will be express toll lanes. It also includes the construction of 11 noise walls and improvements to the 167th interchange. KDOT will not make any changes to the scope of the project in the revised RFP.
Source: Kansas Department of Transportation
