CURRENT PROJECT TOPICS

During the 35-month study, transportation planners and engineers will evaluate and analyze a variety of information in order to develop appropriate solutions and recommendations for the transportation needs in the interchange area. This section will highlight what is new in the study.

Improvement Concepts and Phasing Plan presented at the November Public Open House

The I-435/I-35/K-10 interchange concept study developed recommendations to address existing and future traffic needs through 2040. The study team prioritized improvement recommendations and developed a phased construction plan to allow the ultimate concept over time.

Information from the public meeting can be found under the Resources link.

Phasing Approach presented at September 20, 2010 Advisory Group and Public Officials Briefing The study team presented the construction phasing approach for the project. To view the fact sheet or presentation that provides a summary of the meeting information. The phasing approach breaks the large interchange project into four projects that can be completed over time. Each project provides benefits to the traveling public upon completion. KDOT does plan to move forward with adding auxillary lanes to northbound and southbound I-35. This improvement will address the back-up of traffic on the exisitng westbound I-435 to southbound flyover ramp. It will also address the heavy southbound and northbound traffic between 119th Street and I-435.It is anticipated that construction would begin in 2012. There are also plans to add the auxiliary lanes to I-435 between I-35 and Quivira. This will help address the congestion of traffic merging from northbound I-35 onto eastbound I-435.

Short-term Improvements Planned--update June 2010

Through all the public input to date, one of the top areas of concern was the I-435 westbound to I-35 southbound movement and the complimentary I-35 northbound to I-435 eastbound movement. The phase 1 portion of the study also confirmed the need for longer ramps and additional lanes on I-35 and I-435 to help ease the congestion during peak travel times. KDOT is currently working on plans to add additional lanes along I-35 from 119th Street to the I-435 ramps on both the north and southbound lanes. An additional lane will also be added eastbound and westbound on I-435 from the I-35 ramps to Quivira. These improvements would provide short term congestion relief until such time as the ultimate improvements could be funded and built in the future. These short term improvements are currently being designed and it is anticipated that construction would begin in the spring of 2013.