KC Scout has planned meetings in December to discuss ramp metering on I-35.
According to a spokesman, the meetings are planned in response to congestion issues on I-35, especially those caused when large groups of vehicles attempt to enter the freeway at once during rush hours.
KC Scout, which is jointly operated by the Kansas and Missouri departments of transportation, is continuing to move forward with the I-35 ramp metering implementation project for the area between the Kansas-Missouri state line and I-435, according to a spokesman.
KC Scout and KDOT are holding a second series of public open houses, mobile meetings, and an online town hall meeting Dec. 1 – 31 to gather public comment on a refined list of recommended ramp metering locations on I-35 that have northbound and/or southbound on-ramps. Opportunities for community conversations related to the recommendation:
Schedule for community conversations
Public open house Tues., Dec. 1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Lenexa Senior Citizens Center, 13425 Walnut St., Lenexa, KS 66215
Public open house Thurs., Dec. 3, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Sylvester Powell, Jr. Community Center, 6200 Martway St., Mission, KS 66202
Mobile meeting Sat., Dec. 5, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Price Chopper, 12010 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS 66210
Mobile meeting Weds., Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. KU Medical Center Campus, Murphy Lobby (MURP 1016),
3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160
Mobile meeting Sat., Dec. 12, 2015 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hen House Market, 5800 Antioch Rd., Merriam, KS 66160
Public open house Mon., Dec. 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Rosedale Community Room,
1401 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103
Online town hall Dec. 1 – Dec. 31, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week i35rampmeters.mysidewalk.com
During the meetings, the public is encouraged to review exhibits that show the project area and recommended locations for ramp meters along I-35 in Wyandotte and Johnson counties. The list of recommended locations is based on community feedback, available funding, traffic data, detailed engineering analysis, and the long-range vision for the highway outlined in the I-35 Moving Forward plan, according to a spokesman. Representatives from KC Scout, KDOT, and the consultant team will be present to answer questions and discuss issues or concerns. No formal presentations will be given.
KC Scout and KDOT are developing the project with input from local governments. The planning phase began during the summer with a list of potential ramp metering locations based on an initial analysis of existing conditions (tinyurl.com/KSi35RampMeters). The process will conclude this fall with a final list of ramp meter locations. Construction is anticipated to begin during the summer of 2016. The project is part of a broader vision to address congestion by adding ramp meters and other strategic road improvements along the entire I-35 corridor in the KC metro area.
The ramp meters are a cost-effective improvement strategy, the spokesman said. They are anticipated to improve the on-ramp traffic that merges onto the freeway during busy, rush hour periods. They create gaps in on-ramp traffic that provide for smaller, more frequent groups of vehicles to enter the freeway during rush hours. The end results of the ramp meter installation project are as follows: smoother and less stressful freeway entries, minimized sudden weaving and braking, more consistent traffic flows, improved freeway speeds, decreased travel times, and reduced rear end and sideswipe crashes.
For more information about the project, visit kcscout.net/rampmetering. Comment online anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at i35rampmeters.mysidewalk.com. You may also contact K. Mark Sommerhauser, KC Scout transportation project manager, at 816-607-2243 and [email protected].