Alternate route suggested around KDOT construction, lane closures on Interstate 35 in Johnson County

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas Department of Transportation is warning of major delays to commuters in Johnson County Thursday.

KDOT crews will be doing pavement marking work in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 between I-435 in Lenexa and 119th Street in Olathe.

The work will begin at 7:30 a.m. with only two lanes open to traffic. At 8 a.m. another, reducing the number of open lanes to just one until 2 p.m.

From 2 until 3:30 p.m., a lane will open again and at 3:30, all lanes will reopen.

The restrictions are relatively short, but a significant impact is expected.

“Drivers should expect major delays and should use alternate routes if at all possible,” a statement from KDOT said.

The suggested detour is southbound US-69. Drivers on I-35 can get off on US-69 a few miles north of the intersection with I-435 and take it south to either 119th Street or 135th Street and then head west back to I-35.