The construction zone on eastbound I-435 between Quivira and Metcalf continues to worry officials. Not because of the construction itself, but the countless drivers who continue to speed through the area.
Although the speed limit is 55, many construction workers and drivers have felt their lives have been at risk of the rampant speeding.
Overland Park Police and Kansas Highway Patrol teamed up for a large enforcement of the three-mile stretch of interstate on Monday. They issued 130 citations and made three arrests.
"The fastest driver was driving 95 miles per hour,” said john Lacy, Overland Park police.
“We've had several accidents in that location. And at the same time we've received several complaints regarding the speeding,” he said.
KDOT told 41 Action News they’ve seen 25 incidents in the work zone since April 11.
"We've seen it occur from road debris, to cars running out of gas to crashes... We actually saw a truck lost its lumber,” said Kim Qualls with the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Police and KDOT both want to remind drivers that speeding ticket fines from work zones are doubled, even if the workers are not present.
"Always give our highway workers a break. They're out there trying to improve our highways. Just slow down in that construction zone,” said Lacy.
The primary contractor for the $16.34 million pavement reconstruction project is Clarkson Construction Company out of Kansas City, MO. The project will take two construction seasons and is scheduled to be completed by fall of 2018.
