By SALINA POST
A project that would reconstruct and realign part of Kansas Highway 4 in Saline County is one of 11 expansion and modernization highway projects announced Monday by Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz.
The projects, a total investment of more than $520 million, have been committed to construction as part of the Kelly Administration’s bipartisan transportation plan, IKE, according to information from the governor's office.
“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.” 
After hosting a series of local consult meetings in 2019 and 2021, Kansas Department of Transportation staff worked with community leaders to help identify regional transportation priorities and determine cost-effective ways to deliver them.
Secretary Lorenz said KDOT is fully committed to the announced projects and noted the importance of watching inflationary prices and being flexible in scheduling.
The project in Saline County involves the reconstruction and realignment of seven miles of K-4 from approximately two miles east of the K-4/Kansas Highway 104 junction to just east of the K-4/S. Kipp Road intersection. The project is estimated to cost $23 million and is expected to be let in 2024.