Johnson County drivers will notice more construction along a portion of westbound and eastbound I-435.
The Kansas Department of Transportation is beginning a pavement reconstruction project between U.S. 69 and Metcalf starting in March. It will wrap up in mid-November of 2018.
"The pavement here is 30 years old," said Kim Qualls, spokesperson for KDOT. "If we look at it we can see patches everywhere on it, and it has just simply met its life expectancy. It's time to get it out and get that new pavement back in there."
KDOT will remove deteriorated pavement and replace it with new concrete. It will also patch the bridge deck and resurface the bridges over Indian Creek and Metcalf Avenue.
Plans for 2017
In 2017, crews will focus on repaving the eastbound lanes of I-435. During this time both eastbound and westbound lanes will be reduced to three lanes and shifted north. That means drivers on eastbound lanes will cross over onto the westbound lanes.
"We're going to funnel traffic, what we call 'Split Lane Configuration,' so two through lanes are going to be funneled through a concrete barrier and those will be through lanes," said Qualls. "Once you get into those through lanes you've just got to keep going, you won't be able to exit. So if you do need to exit you need to stay in the right lane."
When the right two lanes are completed on eastbound I-435, traffic will shift again as KDOT crews work to replace the middle and left lanes.
There will be a short-term closure of the on and off ramps at eastbound I-435 and Antioch this year. This will last 21 days in the spring and/or summer and both ramps will not be closed at the same time. KDOT will post detour routes for drivers.
There will also be a weekend closure of the NB U.S. 69 to westbound I-435 loop ramp, a portion of the westbound I-435 collector-distributor road and the westbound I-435 to southbound U.S. 69 ramp in order to complete the asphalt overlay.
Plans for 2018
In 2018, KDOT will start paving the westbound lanes of I-435. The same traffic shift will occur as crews replace pavement starting with the right lanes.
There will be another short-term closure of the on and off ramps of westbound I-435 and Antioch. This will last up to 21 days and both ramps will not be closed at the same time. KDOT will post detour routes for drivers.
"We looked at potentially doing the project with the Gateway, but given the magnitude of traffic control and impacts to drivers we just simply did not go there," said Qualls.
KDOT makes these recommendations to drivers during construction:
- Use local streets when possible instead of I-435
- When using I-435 only use the outside lane to access local streets or U.S. 69 (Inside lanes WILL NOT have access to Antioch Rd or Metcalf)
- Leave earlier and plan for some delays
- If traveling on U.S. 69, consider using College Blvd or 103rd St instead of I-435
Clarkson Construction Company out of Kansas City, Missouri is the primary contractor on this $16.34 million pavement reconstruction project.
The I-435 pavement reconstruction project will take two construction seasons and is scheduled to be completed by mid-November 2018, weather permitting.
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Jade DeGood can be reached at Jade.DeGood@KSHB.com.
