FAQs
- Why was the study conducted?
- What was the study area?
- How long did the study take to complete?
- Were there opportunities for public input?
- What happens after the study?
- Who were the study partners?
- Why are improvements needed?
- How will these improvements impact/improve my commute?
- Traffic is bad now, when will improvements be completed?
- How much will these improvements cost and how long could it take?
- How will access changes impact EMS?
- Instead of adding additional lanes, why don’t you add more transit routes?
- Is this the most important need in Johnson County?
- If it isn’t the most important need, then why are we doing the study, given the state financial situation?
- This may increase the time it takes for trucks to get from my business to the highway. How will I be compensated?
- What are some things that can be done quickly to solve some of the congestion issues?
- What do the local communities think of these options?
Why was the study conducted?
The Kansas Department of Transportation recognized the need to study this area based on traffic and congestion in the area as well as the age of the pavement. The I-435/I-35/K-10 Interchange area was also identified as a priority need by the local communities to improve safety and mobility through this area.
What was the study area?
The study area was defined as I-435 from Quiviria Road to 87th Street, I-35 from 95th Street to 119th Street and K-10 from Woodland to I-435. A half mile area adjacent to the highway on either side will be evaluated for potential impacts. (Download a Map of the Study Area)
How long did the study take to complete?
The study was completed in about 30 months and had three phases: Phase 1- evaluate existing and future conditions; Phase 2 - determine feasible alternatives and select a preferred improvement concept, and Phase 3 - develop a phasing plan which prioritizes improvements over time. (Download Study Schedule)
Were there opportunities for public input?
Yes. The Kansas Department of Transportation is committed to engaging the public to learn what types of transportation investments are important. For the Johnson County Gateway project there were two public meetings, electronic outreach including a web site with a blog, on-line surveys, focus groups, community presentations, media relations, public official’s briefings, advisory group meetings, and two issues workshops.
What happens after the study?
This was a concept study to develop recommendations for future improvements to the interchange. The study identified four separate projects to complete the ultimate improvements. The first construction project (Yellow Project) is anticipated to begin in 2012.
Who were the study partners?
Since the interchange area is multi-jurisdictional, KDOT engaged the cities of Olathe, Lenexa and Overland Park, Johnson County, the Mid-America Regional Council and the Federal Highway Administration as study partners.
Why are improvements needed?
The Johnson County Gateway: I-435/I-35/K-10 interchange is one of the most congested interchanges in the state. The economic vitality of the region relies on the continuity and efficiency of the transportation system. That is why the Kansas Department of Transportation conducted a study in order to evaluate the need for potential safety and traffic improvements for this area.
How will these improvements impact/improve my commute?
The proposed improvements are designed to enhance safety and reduce congestion through the I-435/I-35/K-10 interchange area. By adding new lanes and using collector distributor roads to reduce the weaving of ramp traffic with mainline traffic, the driver experience through the area will be safer and more efficient.
Traffic is bad now, when will improvements be completed?
The recommendations for improvements from this study were presented in the fall of 2010. The study identified improvements to improve traffic flow. The first project, the Yellow Project is anticipated to begin construction in 2012. The Yellow Project will add auxiliary lanes to I-35 from 119th Street to I-435 in both directions.
How much will these improvements cost and how long could it take?
Total improvement costs are estimated to be $600 million (2016 dollars). Projects will have to be phased in over time. Pending future programming decisions, design, right-of-way, and utility relocations, it could take 20 years to complete the entire interchange improvements.
How will access changes impact EMS?
All of the improvement options will enhance EMS access into and through the interchange.
Instead of adding additional lanes, why don’t you add more transit routes?
No one strategy by itself will solve the congestion problems we anticipate. A range of strategies are needed. This will likely include some combination of additional capacity (e.g., HOT lanes, managed lanes), mode shift (e.g., carpools, transit), travel demand management (e.g., staggering work hours, ramp metering, coordinating land use planning with transportation on a regional scale), and other appropriate traffic management solutions. Even with multiple transit strategies employed, traffic models suggest it is unlikely that we will be able to shift enough people from single-occupant cars to buses to solve the congestion problem. Thus, improvements to existing routes will still be required. Currently, Johnson County Transit is studying Bus on Shoulder concepts on I-35 to increase transit opportunities along the I-35 corridor.
Is this the most important need in Johnson County?
This interchange is one of the busiest in the state of Kansas and very important to the economic vitality of the region. It is a huge priority for Kansas and the local communities. This interchange system is a critical link for the metropolitan area and the state, as several important trade routes pass through this interchange. If improvements are not made soon, traffic delays and unreliable travel will hurt the economic vitality of the surrounding communities. Given the interchange’s importance to the region and the state, this study is one of two Preliminary Engineering (PE) Only Projects in Johnson County and one of three in the KC Metro Area.
If it isn’t the most important need, then why did we do the study, given the state financial situation?
It is one of the most important needs in the region and the state. It’s important to plan ahead for any transportation improvement since it takes years for actual construction to occur.
This may increase the time it takes for trucks to get from my business to the highway. How will I be compensated?
There will not be any compensation for any increase in travel time to your business. Planned improvements will reduce congestion and travel times, and improve safety and reliability, which will help businesses in the area.
What are some things that can be done quickly to solve some of the congestion issues?
The first project, the Yellow Project is anticipated to begin construction in 2012. The Yellow Project will add auxiliary lanes to I-35 from 119th Street to I-435 in both directions. This will relieve some of the more significant congestion areas which people experience today.
What do the local communities think of this recommendation?
The local communities were engaged as partners in this study. They had the opportunity to provide input into all aspects of the study process. The study partners asked rigorous questions and requested additional information (e.g. traffic analysis of specific options) to address their comfort level with the proposed concepts.
