U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project
Page last updated: December 17, 2024
Project Description
U.S. 83 is a critical rural freight corridor for western Kansas serving a variety of industries including agriculture, energy and livestock. Expanding transportation opportunities along the U.S. 83 corridor will improve economic productivity as well as the safe and efficient movement of agriculture products and other freight, benefiting everyone who travels on the corridor.
In September 2022, the Kansas Department of Transportation was awarded a $6.7 million Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment grant from the Federal Highway Administration to support the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project.
The Great Plains Rural Freight Technology Corridor Project (U.S. 83 Advanced Technology) will utilize technology aimed at improving safety and economic productivity along U.S. 83. The project limits extend approximately 131 miles, from the Thomas/Sheridan county line south to the Finney/Haskell county line.
Project Map
Project Schedule
Below is the Project schedule that breaks down the tasks to be completed for Phases 1 and 2. After the fiber optic cable is fully installed in early 2025, construction of the advanced technology field components will commence. Installation of the system technology is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026. The technology will be fully operational at the beginning of 2027. Once operational the system operations and performance will be monitored to ensure all components are working effectively and as intended.
Phase 1
KDOT will install fiber optic cable along U.S. 83 between Garden City and I-70. This is the foundation for making technology upgrades to the corridor. This is set to be completed by 2025.
Phase 2
KDOT will install and deploy Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies including Advanced Technology that will make information available for motorists prior to and while traveling on U.S. 83. Construction will start after Phase 1 is complete and is set to be operational by 2026.
Note: Completion dates are subject to change
Project Materials
This information can be made available in alternative languages and accessible formats upon request. Contact the KDOT Division of Communications by dialing 785-296-3585 for voice. Dial 711 for speech/hearing impaired.
Concept of Operations
The U.S. 83 Concept of Operations provides a detailed overview of the proposed improvements planned for the U.S. 83 corridor as part of this project. It reflects input received from project stakeholders and will be used to guide the project design and implementation process.
Project Details
| Project Name | U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project |
| Project Number | KA-6234-02 and KA-6234-01 |
| Location | U.S. 83 from south Finney county line, north to north Thomas county line. Involves Finney, Scott, Logan and Thomas counties. |
| Description | Phase 1 will install approximately 90 miles of fiber optic cable along the corridor in preparation of phase 2 which will will be the deployment of Connected Vehicle technology and an Intelligent Transportation System. |
| Length | 131 miles |
| Cost Estimate | $16.7 million |
Public Meetings
- Time - 4:00pm to 6:00pm
- Location - City Limits Convention Center (2227 S. Range Ave. Colby, KS 67701)
- Public Comment Period - June 21, 2023 to July 12, 2023
- Agenda - KDOT hosted a public open house on June 21, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the City Limits Convention Center (2227 S. Range Ave. Colby, KS 67701). The meeting focused on providing information about the U.S. 83 Connected Vehicle Project and outline the project schedule. KDOT and project team staff were on hand to answer questions. There was no formal presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project will utilize advanced technologies that will improve safety and economic productivity along U.S. 83. Phase one of the project will install new fiber optic cable along U.S. 83 between Garden City and I-70. Phase two of the project will deploy Advanced Technology that will inform drivers of various conditions on U.S. 83 to assist and prepare U.S. 83 motorists ahead of and during their trip.
The project limits include the existing right-of-way on U.S. 83 from the Thomas/Sheridan county line in the north to Finney/Haskell county line in the south. The total length of the project corridor is 131 miles.
The U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project seeks to utilize advanced technology to improve travel along U.S. 83, promoting safety, better economic productivity, and overall efficiency. Additionally, the project is designed to enhance the capabilities of the KanDrive public website, adding hands-free features, allowing drivers to safely get updates about road conditions. Drivers will also be able to use third-party and crowd-sourced data such as Waze to monitor traffic conditions via phone apps and use the KanDrive app to report crashes or other hazards to KDOT.
The advanced technology that will be potentially implemented in this project includes devices such as electronic signs, cameras, KanDrive app enhancements, weather detection devices, traffic detection devices and connected vehicle infrastructure that can “talk” to vehicles. These advanced technologies will provide drivers of U.S. 83 and KDOT important information such as traffic conditions, crash reports, weather conditions, and other travel updates in real-time. This information, for example, can assist drivers with determining if an alternate route may be necessary if there is a crash or incident on U.S. 83 that may cause a delay in their travel.
The KanDrive app will be enhanced to allow hands free access to travel information while driving. This advanced technology will be able to report roadway conditions, traffic updates, construction impacts, truck parking information, weather alerts and other vital information via KanDrive, third party apps, digital roadside message signs, and in-cab devices for freight providers.
Connected vehicle technology, which will be implemented in production vehicles in the future, is being tested as part of this project. Connected vehicle technology allows messages to be sent between roadside units and onboard units installed in vehicles. A small number of onboard units will be installed in commercial vehicles or KDOT vehicles that regularly travel the corridor to demonstrate this technology’s capabilities.
No, roadway users will not be required to put new technology in their vehicles. All technology deployed will be functional regardless of individual vehicle Bluetooth connectivity.
Yes, it is anticipated that drivers will be able to receive additional traffic updates and other corridor information provided by the system on their mobile device through the KanDrive app, Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze apps among others. The types of new information that will be available is an important aspect of the project that is being evaluated.
The U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project will be planned in two phases. Phase one is currently underway and will deploy 90 miles of fiber optic cable along U.S. 83 with a completion date of 2025. The second phase will mark the deployment of an advanced technology system and subsequent monitoring to measure performance. The advanced technology system is expected to be installed by 2026, with monitoring of the system to be completed by 2028.
Commutes should be smoother and safer. Motorists will have access to additional travel information that will equip them to properly plan for trips and monitor ongoing traffic activity during their drive.
In September 2022, the Kansas Department of Transportation received a nearly $7 million Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) grant from the Federal Highway Administration to support the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project. KDOT has also provided matching funds for the project.
Sign up here to receive email correspondence about the latest project updates, public meeting announcements and surveys. The project website is the best location for the most up-to-date information about the project.
Yes, if you wish to submit a comment or question you may do so by clicking here. The project team will review your question/comment and submit a response as soon as possible We will be hosting a second public meeting and the public will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with project staff. Information regarding the next meeting will be announced on our website. If you wish to be added to an email list to receive project updates, including notifications of the next public meeting, please sign up here.
The U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project is a recipient of an Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technology Deployment Grant. The primary goal of this project is to enhance and improve freight travel by utilizing advanced technology. It is anticipated that this technology system will help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for all drivers at a fraction of the cost of a major road widening.
KDOT is interested in exploring other congestion solutions in the future. We encourage participation in the KDOT Local Consult Meetings which help determine the transportation investments around the state every two years. If enough comments are received about U.S. 83 widening, the chances of expediting improvements can be increased. Information about Local Consult Meetings in your area can be found here.
It is anticipated that drivers will be able to report road conditions via applications such as KanDrive and Waze. This information will then be collected by KDOT and shared in several ways including electronic message signs along the corridor and the KanDrive website or app.
Any cameras used as part of the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project will not be capable of reading license tags nor can they identify individual drivers. No facial recognition technology is involved. The cameras will only have the ability to show traffic flow, road conditions, and weather conditions. The advanced technologies will not use or collect any data that can be used to identify drivers.
KanDrive is the Kansas Department of Transportation’s public website that reports weather conditions, construction, traffic speeds, and other pertinent traffic information for the entire state. It can be accessed by visiting www.kandrive.gov or by downloading the KanDrive app.
Who to Contact
Lisa Mussman
Public Information Officer
Lisa.Mussman@ks.gov
Yazmin Moreno
Public Information Officer
Yazmin.Moreno@ks.gov