Governor Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced on Aug. 15, 2022, that 11 expansion and modernization highway projects would move forward in the bidding and construction process. That list includes K-68 between US 169 and US 69 Highways.

“Expanding and modernizing our highways will improve roadway safety, create good jobs, and deliver more economic opportunities across Kansas, both now and in the future,” said Governor Kelly. “These 11 projects demonstrate that investing in transportation benefits our communities, taxpayers, and businesses.”

Consistent with IKE’s goals of community participation, each community is participating in a cost-share approach for the expansion projects. Miami County commissioners agreed in July of 2022 to provide a match of slightly more than $1 million for the construction.

While the existing construction on K-68 provides intersection improvements, access roads, and some realignments, the seven-mile expanded project would widen the road to a four-lane expressway at an estimated cost of $48 million. Construction bid letting is not scheduled to take place until 2025.

Information on the future project's design is available on KDOT's website. Information on the project currently underway is also available on their site. 

K-68 has long been a source of community conversation regarding improvements. In 2008, Miami and Franklin county officials joined with KDOT to study the transportation corridor. The final study was released in 2009.