In De Soto, Kansas, the transformation of the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant into the 9,000‑acre Astra Enterprise Park is reshaping the region’s economic and infrastructure landscape. Anchored by Panasonic’s electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility—which opened in late 2025 and serves as the first major development within the park—the site is poised to become one of the largest employment hubs in the state. At roughly 14 square miles, Astra Enterprise Park would rank as the 16th‑largest city in Kansas by land area, underscoring the scale of growth now underway.

This rapid industrial expansion has created unprecedented demand on the City of De Soto’s infrastructure systems. To support projected traffic volumes, workforce growth, and new municipal and industrial development, the City must accelerate major upgrades to transportation, power, communications, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. Central to this effort is a major roadway expansion program led by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) in partnership with Clarkson Construction Company, HDR, Burns & McDonnell, and Garver. The project delivers the transportation network required for the 300- acre Panasonic facility and operates under an exceptionally compressed schedule: six months for procurement, six months for design, and approximately eighteen months for construction. Given the aggressive timeline, extensive utility relocations, and significant third-party coordination, KDOT selected its first Progressive Design Build (PDB) delivery model to enable flexibility, collaboration, and rapid decision-making.

The project modernizes approximately 4.5 miles of 103rd Street and one mile of Astra Parkway, transforming existing two-lane rural roadways into divided four-lane corridors with curb, gutter, sidewalks, and multimodal accommodations. An exceptionally compressed schedule necessitated a highly collaborative delivery model to manage extensive utility relocations, third-party coordination, and evolving site needs. The improvements enhance capacity, safety, and connectivity for one of the state’s largest economic development initiatives. Portions of the corridor opened in mid-2024, with substantial completion by the end of 2024, positioning the region for long-term mobility and economic growth.

Speakers:
Chad Hall, P.E., HDR, VP, Transportation Business Group Director
Brett Harding, P.E., Burns & McDonnell, Section Manager/Construction
Kevin Kellerman, P.E., Clarkson Construction Company, Program Manager