The Kansas Department of Transportation modernized a key De Soto roadway through its economic development program to support job creation, attract businesses, and drive long-term growth. This $79 million De Soto Progressive Design Build Local Road Improvements Project was launched in response to Panasonic’s 2022 selection of De Soto for the largest economic development project in Kansas history. As Kansas DOT’s first progressive design-build effort, it delivered critical infrastructure ahead of the plant’s spring 2025 opening, enabling early site access and unlocking the 9,035-acre Astra Enterprise Park for future development. With 4,000 new jobs and $500 million in annual labor income, Panasonic is set to generate sustained regional opportunity. The project also preserved community access to local ball fields and a 57-acre nature park, balancing economic expansion with quality of life. The upgraded corridor now supports efficient travel, reduced congestion, safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and better freight access for businesses. As development accelerates, the infrastructure provides the capacity and flexibility needed for continued growth—advancing De Soto’s vision of a connected, prosperous, and livable community.