Johnson county residents have long been frustrated with traffic patterns on K-10 between Olathe and Lenexa. The section of highway sees some of the highest traffic volumes in all of Johnson County, yet, there seems to be no real plan to expand the highway and increase traffic flow to keep up with the ever-growing amount of vehicles, especially with the continuous westward urban expansion from Olathe to De Soto.
So where does this project actually stand?
K-10 between Olathe and Lenexa carries one of the higher traffic volumes in Johnson county, with about 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles per day in the eastern corridor near Renner Blvd. and the I-435 interchange, according to Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) data. That is twice the amount of vehicles as US-69 (south of 135th St.) and nearly three-times the amount of traffic as East Santa Fe Street over I-35 in Olathe, which is currently being revamped to improve traffic flow.
Congestion on K-10 is most noticeable during weekday peak hours. Westbound traffic in the afternoon and early evening often slows significantly between I-435 and Woodland Road, with average speeds dropping to as low as 30mph. Eastbound delays are generally less severe, but still occur during the morning commute, as drivers head toward Lenexa and the broader Kansas City area.
The corridor serves a mix of local commuting traffic and regional travel, including vehicles using K-10 as an alternative to I-70. Daily volumes have grown steadily with further development in western Johnson County, and KDOT projections show further increases in the coming decades if no capacity improvements are made.
KDOT has been studying long-term options for the roughly 16.5 mile stretch of K-10 from the Douglas County line, through Olathe and Lenexa, to I-435. Proposed improvements include adding a third travel lane in each direction and new or improved interchanges, such as building a new interchange at Lone Elm Road, between Woodland Road and K-7.
KDOT has conducted, and continues to work in relation to a major traffic and capacity study for K-10. In 2025, the project received federal environmental approval, with a Finding of No Significant Impact. This shows that there are active steps being taken to begin the design-phase for improvements and KDOT may soon begin to request funding for construction.
Some other proposed improvements to the corridor include bridge replacements, new collector-distributor lanes, noise abatement walls, and the possibility of walking trails or sidewalks to better accommodate pedestrians at certain interchanges.
If KDOT intends to seek funding soon, the project as a whole, is estimated to cost approximately $1.2 billion.
The Johnson County Watch will continue to monitor KDOT’s plans and provide updates when available.