Kansas City Metro Area Project Studies

The Kansas City area is a beehive of transportation activity. In order to manage the growth and prepare for an efficient and effective transportation system, the Kansas Department of Transportation and many local partners are working together to study the area and develop plans for the future. Here is a sampling of the studies and projects underway in the region.

5-County Regional Transportation Study

Rapid economic development in five northeast Kansas counties is straining the transportation infrastructure needed to support the growth and there is never enough money to address the needs. To help address the situation, this two-phase study will look at changing transportation needs in Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte counties. The study partners include the counties and cities in the area, KDOT, the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA), Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), and the Lawrence-Douglas County Metro Planning Commission. To find out more about the study, visit the project web site at: www.5countystudy.org.

Johnson County Gateway: I-435/I-35/K-10 Interchange Study

This interchange is the focal point for regional and local traffic in Johnson County and critical to future economic development in the area. The study will develop concepts to address increasing traffic volumes, congestion, interchange pavement condition, access issues and safety on the interstates, ramps, and side streets in the area. It includes two highway-to-highway interchanges, seven highway-to-local road interchanges, and the mainline for K-10, I-435, and I-35 in the vicinity of those interchanges. The study began in August 2008 and will be completed in late 2010. Local partners include Johnson County and the cities of Lenexa, Olathe, and Overland Park. To find out more about the study, visit the study Web site at: www.jocogateway.com.

K-7 & I-70 Interchange: Today. Tomorrow. Together.

The existing K-7 & I-70 Interchange in Bonner Springs is a major highway-to-highway interchange. KDOT and its local partners are managing the K-7 Corridor by planning for continuing growth in this area. KDOT is developing the preliminary design for interchanges at Kansas Avenue, I-70 and 130th Street that work together as one complete system. The preliminary design process began in 2007 and will take several years to complete. The project has not been funded for final design or interchange construction. News announcements and public meetings will be used to keep the community updated on the project as it progresses. The interchange project began in early 2008 and preliminary design for the interchange is scheduled to be completed in early 2010. To find out more about the interchange project, visit the project Web site at: www.k7andi70interchange.org.

US-56 Corridor Management Plan

The US-56 Corridor Management Plan will assess and make recommendations concerning traffic volumes and movements, safety, access, and land use along the US-56 corridor between US-59 and Gardner. Study partners include MARC, Lawrence-Douglas County MPO, Douglas and Johnson counties and the cities of Baldwin City, Edgerton and Gardner. To find out more about the corridor management plan, visit the study Web site at: www.us56corridorplan.org.

I-35 Southwestern Johnson County Interchange Project

The purpose of the I-35 SW Johnson County Project is to define a new interchange location on I-35 that will provide access to the future BNSF Intermodal Facility, Logistics Park and warehouse facilities and other future growth.  The demand and need for additional interstate access, resulting from growth in population and expansion of the regions ability to provide access to more freight traffic for the purpose of moving goods and services, are key elements to be addressed as part of the interchange project process. To find out more about the I-35 SW Johnson County Interchange Project, visit the project Web site at: http://i35swjohnsoncointerchange.ksdot.org.