State to pay for highway projects in Harvey, Reno and Kingman counties

In addition to the Wichita projects, Gov. Sam Brownback announced these projects to improve highways in south-central Kansas:

* Reconstructing the I-135 interchange at 36th Street in Newton, $14 million.

* Creating a four-lane freeway and new interchange on U.S. 50 from one mile west of Anderson Road to Old Main in Newton, $31 million.

* Upgrading U.S. 54 to a four-lane expressway through the Byron Walker Nature Preserve in Kingman County, $44 million.

* Constructing a new two-lane K-96 from Hutchinson to Sterling, $63 million. The highway would be built on right of way for four lanes.

* Creating a four-lane expressway on U.S. 54 from five miles east of Pratt to one mile east of Cairo, $34 million.