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The Johnson County Gateway Study I-435/I-35/K-10 is mentioned in the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Report: Case for Capacity: To Unlock Gridlock, Generate Jobs, Deliver Freight and Connect Communities.

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.
The improvement concept shown in the video increases spacing where drivers enter and exit the highway and creates separation by using collector and distributor lanes to move those traveling all the way through the area to one set of lanes while those who will be moving from, say, I-435 to I-35 to another lane or lanes. This type of separation will reduce the weaving drivers will need to do.

Blake Schreck, President of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce sat down with me and provided his thoughts on the importance of the I-435/I-35/K10 interchange area to Lenexa and how improvements to the interchange are critical to the economy of Lenexa.
Please note this is our first pod video interview, so there is room for improvement from a video/quality standpoint.

In order to gather additional information from commuters and regional users of the I-435/I-35/K-10 Interchange, we are conducting focus groups to talk about specific issues surrounding the interchange. We are working with ETC Institute , to randomly recruit and invite people who use the interchange frequently to attend and provide their thoughts and opinions on transportation issues related to the improvement of the area. So far two focus groups have been completed and participants were glad to know that KDOT is studying ways to improve the interchange. The input from the focus groups will help the study team understand the most important issues to commuters as work continues on the improvement concepts.

On January 8, 2010, KDOT invited key businesses and stakeholders in the study area to an issues workshop where the study team presented two draft concept alternatives. We asked the business community what concerns they had with the proposed concepts and how they thought the improvements might impact them. Overall, most of the concerns noted had to do with funding the improvements and for what short-term solutions could be implemented until all the improvements could be completed. As the study progresses, there will be more discussion on the short-term improvements. At this time, there is no funding for construction or any right-of-way acquistion. The presentation can be found in the resource link under meeting summaries.

We’ve heard a number of comments about keeping through travelers in their lane, while those exiting should move to exit lanes. Like this comment, “make right hand lane from the K-10 Westbound exit in the I-435 Southound lanes a solid white line area (no passing to left 2 lanes). Dedicate this lane for only oncoming traffic or those exiting to I-35 Southbound. Make it this way until the Quivira exit. This would allow people in middle and left lanes to not have to stop on the interstate so people coming on could get in. Anyone wanting to go to I-35 would have to be in right hand lane from K-10 exit on to do so. This has worked for the Grandview triangle area, so it could work here. Would make it safer to get onto and off the highway since only oncoming and exiting cars would be using it. It is a short distance to stay in a dedicated lane. Would reduce possibility of being side swiped by impatient oncoming drivers and would help reduce rear end collisions caused by others stopping to let some rude driver in. It would also help on days when sun is in your eyse and you have problems seeing those wanting in and stopping traffic.”
Response:
As improvement options are developed the idea of keeping the ‘thru traveler’ in the appropriate lanes in order to keep traffic flowing has been discussed. Options for local traffic access would be separated in order to reduce conflict opportunities.

We received a comment regarding the problem of the short distance from the Lackman entrance ramp and the turn ramps which lead to the I-35.
Response: Thanks for your comment. As additional lanes are planned for and access points to the ramps are extended and separated, this will help traffic flow. This might be an area where collector/distributor (think Roe and Nall exit) roads would work to help reduce the conflicting weaving movements.

We’ve received comments about the need to expand or replace the Westbound I-435 to Southbound I-35 flyover with a two-lane flyover. We’ve also received comments about the need to expand the Northbound I-35 to I-435 exit ramp to two lanes.
Response:
It is likely that additional lanes at these locations will be part of the final concept.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

One comment received suggested improvements to how the area was signed to provide directions to the motorist.
The comment: “Sign the rightmost lane on I-435 southbound as Exit Only for Lackman/I-35 so that continuing traffic will move left to make room for K-10 traffic.”
Response:
Thanks for your comment. Signage is more complicated than you would think. What might be logical to one driver, doesn’t make sense to another. KDOT has detailed guidelines for directional signage and works hard to make the driver experience easier by providing straightforward signs. As new concepts are developed the study team is working closely with KDOT to develop a signage plan that provides the driver with the necessary information to make decisions about where they need to be in a timely fashion.

Through our survey we received several comments regarding alternative transportation considerations. One such comment: ” High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes would reduce congestion at peak times, reduce the need for more costly lane expansions, and provide incentive for public transportation.”
Response:
High occupancy vehicle lanes are being considered as part of the solution for this interchange area as are other options such as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), managed lanes, and transit options. Any alternative transportation solutions will work in conjunction with physical changes to the interchange area, such as additional lanes or improvments to curves.