Commuting in Johnson County in 2020? These will be the biggest traffic tie-ups
Drivers can prepare for a year of detours and closed lanes in Johnson County, as crews work to fix bottlenecks, widen roads and relieve traffic congestion.
From a major interstate expansion to pothole repairs, agencies will pour millions of dollars into road work this year. Most of the upcoming construction aims to accommodate heavier traffic loads across the booming county — and community leaders say that’s the goal of the biggest project of 2020.
In March, crews should begin widening Interstate 35 under the 75th Street bridge, which is one of the worst bottlenecks in the Kansas City area. The highway narrows from five to three lanes in each direction at 75th Street in Shawnee and Overland Park, causing regular traffic jams for the roughly 160,000 vehicles traveling there each day.
“It impacts me on a regular basis since I drive on I-35. That interchange has been a source of traffic issues, including long backups during rush hour, for a long time,” said Johnson County Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick. “Of course, nobody is looking forward to having construction there. But once it’s done, it should help alleviate some of that congestion. So if everyone can be patient while it’s getting done, it will be a great benefit to Johnson County.”
The $16.5 million project will add a fourth lane of traffic in both directions and should take place in stages over this year, said Mike Quizon, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Johnson County is helping fund the project, after the Board of Commissioners voted in 2018 to provide $1.65 million over two years from the County Assistance Road System, or CARS, fund. The money comes from the state gas tax and a county property tax.
KDOT secured 90% of the money through a federal freight transportation grant, but did not have state funds to make up the remaining 10% match. Hanzlick said the county decided to fund that portion because improving the interchange is a top priority.
“The highway is a huge source of economic development in Johnson County. And with the growing population, the highway just continues to get more congested,” she said.
Quizon said the state plans to maintain three lanes of traffic in each direction, but as cars approach the construction zone, lanes will be reduced, and some exit ramps will be closed at times.
Also this year, officials will begin redesigning another infamous bottleneck in the Kansas City area: the interchange at I-35 and 119th Street in Olathe. The intersection has a crash rate 11 times higher than the national average.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the city of Olathe a $10 million grant to help fund a $28 million project to improve the intersection, by widening 119th Street and building additional turn lanes on I-35 exit ramps. Design work should begin this year, with construction starting in 2021.
More work on I-35
Also in Olathe, drivers will see other lanes closed on I-35 as crews continue to lengthen the bridges over the railroad between Old 56 Highway and 151st Street.
The $5.5 million project began last year and should pick up again this spring. I-35 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction throughout most of the project.
The construction also allows Olathe to provide another route to the Garmin headquarters. The city plans to extend Mahaffie Circle and connect 151st Street with Old 56 Highway. Garmin is contributing $1.8 million to fund the route.
Meanwhile, Olathe also is widening the nearby Lone Elm Road, from Old 56 Highway to 151st Street, to four lanes — a $19.5 million project.
Other Johnson County projects
▪ Interstate 435. This year, KDOT plans to replace pavement on I-435 from Kansas 10 to Midland Drive in Lenexa and Shawnee. Quizon said the project won’t slow traffic as much as the work on I-35 will, but “people are clamoring for this because the pavement is in bad shape in this western section of the I-435 loop.”
▪ Quivira Road. A $27 million project to reconstruct Quivira from 159th to 179th streets in Overland Park continues this year and next. The work includes adding turn lanes and traffic lights, constructing three roundabouts and improving sidewalks. The project has been controversial, especially when the city decided in 2018 to acquire some land owned by neighbors for future expansion of the road. Property owner Scott Hamblin, who won election to the City Council in November and will take office later this month, sued the city. He argued the city didn’t offer enough money for his land. A judge agreed, ordering Overland Park to double the offer.
▪ Nall Avenue. The road will undergo major maintenance work in both Overland Park and Prairie Village, from 83rd Street to 95th Street. The $1 million project is being funded by both cities, as well as the county’s CARS funding. Work will last from March through October.
▪ Nieman Road. Shawnee is in the middle of a $40 million project to reconstruct Nieman in the heart of its downtown. The project is one year behind schedule, but should be fully completed this spring.
▪ Metcalf Avenue. Overland Park also plans to repair Metcalf, from 75th to 83rd streets, then from 83rd to 91st streets. Crews should start repaving, repairing curbs and gutters and improving sidewalks in March.
