Volume 43 - Issue 13 - March 28, 2024
State of Kansas
Department of Transportation
Notice of Hearing and Environmental Assessment Availability
The public is invited to attend a public hearing to learn about the K-96 Improvements Project from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Wichita State University’s Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex (Metroplex), Room 180, 5015 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, Kansas. The meeting will be an open house format and there is no formal presentation. Free and handicap accessible parking is available (just look for the event signs).
Project information and exhibits will be available for the public to review and provide comments as well as written statements. Attendees can speak to design team members or project partners, which include the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County.
Attendees will review the Preferred Design Alternatives and draft Environmental Assessment (EA) findings for the K-96 Improvements Project, which extends from the K-96/I-135 interchange (near Hydraulic Street) approximately 9.5 miles east/southeast to north of the K-96/US-54/400 interchange in Wichita. The project includes expanding K-96 from four to six lanes and making improvements to seven interchanges: Hillside, Oliver, Woodlawn, Rock, Webb, Greenwich, and 21st. The purpose of the proposed improvements to the K-96 corridor is to support local and regional growth, reduce congestion and improve traffic operations, enhance safety, and provide a transportation system that accommodates the needs for all users and modes. The project is part of the IKE development pipeline.
The hearing materials will also be available on the project website at https://k96improvements.ksdot.gov from April 11, 2024 to May 15, 2024. People can submit comments or questions on the website. Any written or emailed statements received by May 15, 2024 will be made part of the public hearing record.
In addition, the draft EA for the K-96 Improvements Project will be available for online review and comment from March 27, 2024 to May 15, 2024 at https://k96improvements.ksdot.gov/ea, or in-person at the Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center, 2755 E. 19th St. N., Wichita, Kansas, or the Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., Wichita, Kansas, during business hours.
The draft EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine the potential environmental, cultural, and socioeconomical impacts of the project. An EA is required because KDOT will be using federal funds from FHWA to help construct the project. The draft EA concludes that no significant impacts to the environment would result, and KDOT intends to request a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) following a 45-day comment period in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing NEPA, Section 1508.13 providing there are no substantive comments that warrant further evaluation.
Copies of this information can be provided by written request to KDOT Wichita Metro Engineer, Kansas Department of Transportation, 3200 E. 45th St. N., Wichita, KS, 67220. Written statements and exhibits will be made a part of the public meeting transcript if received by May 15, 2024.
Anyone who requires language translation, special assistance, or accommodation to attend the meeting should contact the K-96 Improvements Project Team by calling 316-290-9691 or emailing info@K96Improvements.com at least one week before the meeting date.
Greg Schieber, P.E.
State Transportation Engineer
Department of Transportation
Doc. No. 051989
