Included in a recent submission of pre-applications to the Federal Railroad Administration is a request for funds to create a Service Development Plan for state-supported Amtrak service between Kansas City and Oklahoma City. A KDOT news release outlines the possibilities.
Keep Right, Pass Left. A new Kansas law requires that drivers on roadways outside of cities, with two or more lanes in the same direction, must drive in the right lane unless they are making a left turn or passing another vehicle. Warnings will be issued until July 1, 2010 then the fine will be $60 + court costs.
A new video celebrates the approaching completion of the Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP), a ten-year success story for Kansas roads. Wichita's own Dale Goter, Tim Witsman and State Senator Les Donovan make cameo appearances. View the CTP video.
Cable barrier, designed to reduce crossover crashes on divided highways, will be installed next year on K-96 between I-135 and Rock Road. Details in the news release.
The City of Wichita hosted a public meeting in March 2009 (left) to share design concepts of East Kellogg from Webb Road to the Butler County line. Four and a half mile stretch divided into two projects. Still to be determined: how to tie into the Kansas Turnpike just west of Webb.
If you use the Kansas Turnpike a lot, you might want to subscribe to their text messaging service. Info on weather, road conditions and crash-related traffic problems are sent to your phone. Sign up >>
Five statewide highway projects were selected for American Recovery & Reinvestment Act dollars. Included is the I-135/47th Street South interchange – see the fact sheets on the projects at KDOT’s ARRA info site.
Kansas Transportation Online Community (KTOC) now boasts over 600 members. Lots of information plus your comments are welcomed!
At the Confluence is a blog at KTOC focusing on Wichita.
A video features KDOT employees telling their stories about work zone dangers. Watch Behind the Vest (WMV).
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is the use of electronics, computers, sensors, communications and management strategies to improve roadway safety and transportation system efficiency. Read about Wichita’s project.
Current Projects
Click on the tab for details on current projects.
I-135/Kellogg
I-135 & U.S. 54/400 (Kellogg) Interchange
Start date: May 18, 2009
Completion: 1st phase Nov. 21, 2009 (EB Kellogg bridge over Hydraulic may not be finished by this date)
Contract amount: $19,686,450.01
Prime contractor: Wildcat Construction
Scope of work: Phase 1: Replace one bridge, repair 7 bridge decks, expand exit ramps.
Special notes: 2nd phase starts March 2010. Ramps from I-135 to Kellogg will be closed March - Sept. 2010.
I-135 & 47th St.
I-135 & 47th St. South Interchange
Start date: August 2009
Completion: 2011
Contract amount: $16,147,807.10
Prime contractor:Dondlinger & Sons, Wichita
Scope of work: Reconstruction of the I-135/47th St. Interchange, improvements to the 47th & Broadway intersection and access solutions along 47th St. between I-135 and Broadway.
Special notes: Work has begun with utility relocations and preparing 47th St. for traffic on the north half as reconstruction of the south side of 47th St. is set to begin in December. Demolition of the south side of the bridge over I-135 is scheduled for early-December.
U.S. 54 to Airport Exit
Westbound U.S. 54/400 (W. Kellogg) to Mid-Continent Airport Exit.
Start date: August 10
Completion: Spring 2010
Contract amount: $488,096.25
Prime contractor: Wildcat Construction
Scope of work: Repair bridge and apply a polymer overlay.
Special notes: WB Kellogg to Airport ramp CLOSED. Traffic to airport can use Ridge Road Exit then south. The project will be suspended in late-November and resumed in March. Access to the airport will be open for the winter.
Wichita ITS
Intelligent Transportation System
Start date: Ongoing
Completion: 2011
Contract amount: Bid opening for Phase 1 equipment November 18.
Prime contractor:
Scope of work: Phase 1 includes 28 cameras, 20 dynamic message signs, Traffic Mgmt. Center and Web site
Special notes: Test Project (6 cameras, 6 portable signs Traf. Mgmt. Center) is installed and operating. Phase 1 covers I-135 from Lincoln to 53rd St., U.S. 54 (Kellogg) from Ridge to Woodlawn, and the I-235/K-96/Meridian interchange. Expect Phase 1 operation in mid to late-2010.
Two-Year I-135/Kellogg Interchange Project Started May 18
Drivers on U.S. 54/400 (Kellogg) between Washington and Hillside were squeezed into two lanes instead of the usual three in mid-May PLUS access ramps from Kellogg to I-135 are now closed (until November).
This work is the start of Phase 1 (May 18 – Nov 21, 2009) of a two-year interchange project. Phase 1 includes:
- Repairs on seven bridges. These repairs vary on each bridge and include deck patching, driving surface improvements, new bridge approaches, work on bridge abutments (support structures at each end), new guard rail, expansion joint repair or replacement, polymer overlay on bridge shoulders, improved drainage systems on all bridges plus one bridge widening.
- Replacement of one bridge (EB Kellogg over Hydraulic St.)
- Expand one lane of SB I-135 (between Lincoln & Harry)
- Expand ramps to two lanes
An official, marked detour uses I-235 to access I-135 since the ramps at Kellogg are closed.
Phase 2, slated for March - October 2010, will include the repair of nine other bridges in the interchange area plus expansion of ramps from I-135 to Kellogg.
Stimulus for the Metro :
Transportation projects funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act approach $400 million in Kansas. The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) has finalized its list for stimulus projects in the Wichita region:
- Andover - South Andover Road - Cloud to Harry - $1,234,800
- Derby - Madison Avenue resurfacing - $472,500
- Haysville - West Grand Avenue resurfacing - $1,008,000
- Park City - Broadway Bridge over Chisholm Creek - $1,890,000
- Sedgwick County - Rock Road mill & overlay - $2,070,000
- Wichita - Broadway - Central to 12th - $486,000
- Wichita - Hillside - 9th to 12th - $864,000
- Wichita - Hydraulic - Harry to Kellogg - $2,970,000
- Wichita - Maize Road - Pawnee to Kellogg - $3,600,000
- Wichita - Washington - 1st to Central - $432,000
- Valley Center - Ford Street Bridge - $1,350,000
Previously announced ARRA projects include:
- Five state highway projects including I-135/47th St. South Interchange
- 14 Transportation Enhancement projects including one in Mulvane (PDF)
- 77 city and county projects from across the state (PDF)
- Five short line railroad projects including one in Sedgwick County (PDF)
- Six Kansas Amtrak station upgrades (PDF)
An interesting part of the stimulus funds for rural transit includes a provision requiring KDOT to spend 15% of the $14M on intercity bus service. So $2M has been set aside for bus service between Wichita to Salina and Wichita to Pueblo (Colorado). A request for proposals (RFP) will be issued soon to select a provider.
More news:
The Northern Flyer Alliance is a group of citizens dedicated to expanding passenger rail service from Fort Worth to Kansas City via Wichita. The City of Wichita passed a resolution (PDF) supporting this idea. A study (PDF) by Amtrak is underway.
The INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita is scheduled to open in January 2010. See the construction progress live at 360Wichita
Going fishing? Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks provides weekly fishing updates and KDOT has a couple of public access lakes at Hydraulic and 45th St. North. Here are maps to many of Sedgwick County's fishing locations.
"...to provide a statewide transportation system to meet the needs of Kansas."
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