Topics Archive
Draft Improvement Concept Video Simulation Available—April 2010
The study team will move forward with the improvement concept that provides full direct access for all existing interchanges, concept 4A. The improvement concept alternative will increase spacing where drivers enter or exit the interchange area to allow better traffic flow. Two video simulations have been developed to show how the improvement concept alternative will function. The first simulation shows how the collector distributor roads act to separate traffic and reduce weaving. The second video shows a portion of the improvement concept from the drivers perspective. Click here to view videos.
Draft Concept Alternatives Developed—January 2010
The study team has developed two concepts alternatives that improve safety and reduce congestion. Each concept creates more separation for drivers traveling through the interchange area and those who want to exit. The study team presented these concepts to key stakeholders and businesses within the study area in early January. By March, KDOT and the study partners will decide which concept will move forward. The next few months will include preliminary design engineering to refine the concept and then it will be presented at a public meeting in the fall of 2010. Click here to view the concept presentation.
Additionally, a video simulation is being developed to provide a more detailed look at how the concepts will function. It will be posted here in March.
Phase 2 work progress update—November 2009
The study team has been working diligently to evaluate traffic impacts of the different concepts to improve the flow of traffic through the I-435/I-35/K-10 Interchange area. The initial concepts evaluated and dismissed include:
- Concept 1: Adding additional lanes to the existing interchange does not handle the anticipated traffic and did not improve the overall traffic flow in the area.
- Concept 2: While adding collector/distributor roads to the existing interchange improves traffic flow by separating the ramp weaving movements from the through traffic movements, they do not completely solve the congestion problems in and of themselves.
- Concept 3: Eliminating weaving movements via braiding ramps did not completely solve the traffic flow problems either. This was due to an uneven distribution of where traffic comes on and off the highway.
Concept 4: Currently under evaluation
Concept 4 in general , adds additional lanes to improve traffic flow, separates traffic with collector/distributor roads and barriers to reduce the weaving and increases the spacing of where drivers must make a decision for exit, thus allowing more time to get to the appropriate lane. The study team is evaluating variations of this concept for:
- Traffic flow improvement;
- Ease of construction;
- Ability to provide proper signage; and
- Access to/from the local street system.
Phase 2 work is underway
The study team has started developing the improvement concepts to address traffic congestion and safety concerns in the study area. This concept will accommodate 2040 traffic levels as determined through an AM and PM traffic model operational analysis. The concept will also include numerous engineering activities:
- Preliminary typical sections/design criteria
- Conceptual horizontal/vertical geometrics
- Conceptual guide sign layout
- Conceptual bridge and wall locations/types
- Evaluation of major watershed crossings and localized detention areas
- Preliminary grading/right-of-way needs
- General constructability/maintenance of traffic
- Environmental investigation/preliminary purpose and need
- Conceptual ITS/ramp metering accommodation
- Identification of major utilities
- Railroad coordination
- Cost estimates
Online Public Meeting Available
If you weren't able to attend the May 14, 2009 public meeting, please visit the visit the Online public meeting . It provides an opportunity to view the information presented plus ask questions on any of the information. At the end there is a quick survey on the online meeting formatto provide feedback in order to make the online meeting format more useful and effective in the future. Questions will be responded to by members of the study team and placed on the FAQ page.
Existing Infrastructure
In the first phase of the study, engineers have been looking at the existing infrastructure to determine the condition of the pavement and bridges. Except for maintenance of bridge surfaces the bridges within the interchange area are in good shape. Most of the roadway pavement has experienced significant rehabilitation in recent years with pavement patching and overlays. Despite this rehabilitation, there is very little remaining limited service life left in the pavement.
Engineers have also been evaluating the existing interchanges to determine if there are any design deficiencies. Highway design criteria has changed since portions of the highways were constructed as far back as the 1960's. Current operating speeds and the context of the project will be analyzed to select appropriate design speeds based on today's highway design criteria. The study will identify areas where improvements should be made.
