The City of Olathe and the Kansas Department of Transportation will hold a public open house later this month to present plans for the I‑35 Santa Fe Forward project, a multi-year program to rebuild a congested stretch of interstate and a key city arterial.
What officials plan to show at the meeting
The meeting is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Aug. 27 in the Community Room at the Olathe Police Department, 501 E. Old 56 Highway. Officials say the session is expected to concentrate on work at Old 56 Highway and Santa Fe Street, though other elements of the overall project may be discussed.
Construction activity is already underway in pieces: utility relocation work has begun within the city, and local crews and contractors have completed demolition of several buildings along Santa Fe and I‑35 as part of land acquisition efforts. Project leaders say work on I‑35 is anticipated to begin by the end of the year, while reconstruction of Santa Fe Street — between Ridgeview Street and Mur‑Len Road — is planned to start near the end of 2027.
- Open house: 4-6 p.m., Aug. 27, Olathe Police Department Community Room, 501 E. Old 56 Hwy.
- I‑35 construction area: Old 56 Highway to 119th Street.
- Santa Fe rebuild: Ridgeview Street to Mur‑Len Road; construction expected end of 2027.
Goals and scope
City and KDOT documents and public statements say the work will focus on reducing bottlenecks at Old 56 and Santa Fe, improving traffic flow and addressing infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life. Officials describe the plan as a combination of interchange and roadway reconstruction intended to provide improved access to I‑35 on both sides of the interstate and to address longstanding access issues for adjacent properties.
"Rebuilding the roads and interchanges will address access issues, replace infrastructure that is at its 'end of life,' and provide improved access to I‑35 on both sides of the interstate," project information states.
Local leaders have already begun acquiring property needed for the project, and demolition of several structures took place earlier this year to clear right of way. That preparatory work signals a sustained period of activity that will affect drivers, local businesses and neighborhoods near the corridor.
Local impacts and timing
Residents and commuters should expect phased construction that spans several years. KDOT materials show the interstate work covers I‑35 from Old 56 Highway north to 119th Street. The Santa Fe Street work will rebuild a key north‑south city artery between Ridgeview Street and Mur‑Len Road.
| Project element | Location | Reported timeline |
|---|---|---|
| I‑35 reconstruction | Old 56 Hwy to 119th St | Construction anticipated to begin by end of year |
| Santa Fe Street rebuild | Ridgeview St to Mur‑Len Rd | Construction expected to start end of 2027 |
| Preconstruction activity | Olathe (utility zones, demolition) | Utility relocation underway; property acquisition ongoing |
Officials have not yet indicated whether the Aug. 27 open house will be available via an online option. The public is encouraged to attend in person to review maps and ask questions about traffic phasing, access for businesses and residences, and construction schedules.
What residents should watch for
At the open house, project leaders are expected to provide more detailed information about how traffic will be managed during construction, the timeline for specific intersections and ramps, and how access to nearby properties will be maintained. Those details will be critical for commuters who use I‑35 and Santa Fe Street daily, as well as for businesses that rely on frontage access.
Because the project spans state and local jurisdictions, coordination between KDOT and the City of Olathe will determine how quickly work advances and how disruptions are minimized. Residents with concerns about property acquisition, noise, detours or business access should bring those questions to the Aug. 27 session.
Additional project information and outreach materials are posted on the KDOT website and through City of Olathe communications; the open house will be the next opportunity for direct interaction with project staff.
