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The summary for the June 30th Issues Workshop is now available for review. The summary documents the construction phasing options presented for discussion during the meeting. Many of the questions from the stakeholders at the meeting included questions about when right-of-way limits would be known, transition between the new construction and existing roadways and concern about how long these improvements could take.
Many in the group were pleased to see plans for the interim improvements of adding additional lanes on I-35 from 119th Street to I-435 and from Quivira Road to I-35 moving forward.

In early February, focus groups were conducted with randomly selected residents who use or have used the I-435/I-35/K-10 interchange area. The summary report documents their thoughts and perceptions on how the interchange currently works and their opinions on the proposed improvement concepts. Seventy-one people participated in the focus groups. Generally all the participants supported the improvement concept presented.

The purpose of the Phase 1 Regional Study Report was to better understand the existing conditions of the interchange and determine areas for improvement by reviewing the influence of regional and localized traffic generators, future traffic levels and travel patterns on the interchange area.
The report summarize the existing conditions as noted:
• 230,000 drivers use the interchange every day.
• With the exception of bridge surface maintenance, the bridges within the interchange area are in good condition.
• Most of the roadway pavement has experienced significant rehabilitation in recent years with pavement patching and overlays. Despite this rehabilitation, very little remaining service life is left in the pavement.
• Sections of the interchange area do not meet current design criteria. This includes several horizontal curves, ramp acceleration/deceleration lengths, weave distances and local service interchanges in close proximity to system
interchanges.
• Severe congestion levels exist in both the AM and PM peak hours on portions of the I-435, I-35 and K-10 corridors. Today, 20 percent of the interchange is congested. A drive through the interchange that should take 3 minutes actually takes, on average, 4 minutes due to congestion.
• The K-10 and I-435 highway crash rates are higher than the Kansas statewide average for similar facilities. The highest density of crashes occurs on I-435 from K-10 to Quivira. Rear end crashes are the most prevalent crash
type.
• Transit plays an important role in the interchange area. Johnson County Transit operates a number of fixed route
and flexible route (paratransit) services through the interchange.
• The SCOUT system is operated in part of the interchange area.
• Ramp metering service will be added in November 2009, to I-435 just east of the study area.

The report also summarize the future no-build conditions as:
• 360,000 drivers are expected to use the interchange by 2040.
• Regional historical growth patterns have shown a southerly and westerly development pattern along the I-35 and K-10 corridors. This growth pattern is expected to continue in the future. (As noted in chapter 3 of the report.)
• Regional traffic generators surround the study interchange and rely on the interchange area for access to the interstate system.
• Severe congested conditions are expected to occur in much of the AM and PM peak hours on portions of the
I-435, I-35 and K-10 corridors. By 2040, 50 percent of the interchange is expected to be congested. A typical
drive through the interchange that should take 3 minutes in uncongested conditions is expected to take 16
minutes at the peak hour by 2040.
• As traffic demand and congestion increase, the number of crashes is also expected to increase.

All the materials shown at last night’s public meeting can be found under the resources page. If you weren’t able to attend the meeting you can see what was presented, look at the video simulations or download the fact sheet.
As always, feel free to ask questions or provide your thoughts through the blog or the jocogateway@hntb.com e-mail. We hope to hear from you.

The FAQ link on the left side of the page is updated often based on questions that come in through the project email or from new information that the study team learns. Check it out to see if your question is listed or feel free to ask a question on the blog.

The resources link on the left side of the page is the place to go to find any type of document that has been produced for the study. After each Advisory Group meeting the agendas and presentations are posted. After the public meeting the displays and newsletter will be posted. The technical reports and other information will also be posted. Check back frequently for updates. There is also a a helpful links page to take you to other community transporation resources within the region.