I-35 backed up in both directions this weekend near I-435 in Johnson County
Traffic was backed up in both directions Saturday on Interstate 35 near Interstate 435 in Johnson County.
Drivers may find the area difficult to navigate all weekend.
The closure of I-35 near I-435 was expected to cause major delays, and traffic was detoured around the closed highways. Several ramps in the area also were closed.
Crews started shutting down the left lanes of I-35 in both directions at I-435 about 8 p.m. Friday for traffic control prep work.
Workers then closed I-35 from 87th Street Parkway to I-435 later Friday night so workers could install bridge girders for new flyover ramps at the I-35/I-435 interchange.
Northbound traffic on I-35 was backed up all day Saturday to the south of I-435, and southbound traffic was similarly congested near 75th Street, according to staff at the Lee’s Summit office of KC Scout, the metro area traffic monitoring system.
KC Scout advised drivers to avoid the area over the weekend. The highway is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.
More than 97,000 vehicles use that stretch of highway on an average day, according to a 2013 traffic study by the Kansas Department of Transportation.
No major accidents had been reported in the area Saturday, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. Among the weekend’s detours:
▪ Northbound I-35 through traffic: Traffic will detour east on I-435 and north on U.S. 69 to access northbound I-35.
▪ Northbound I-35 to westbound I-435: Traffic will detour east on I-435 and north on Quivira Road to access westbound I-435.
▪ Southbound I-35 through traffic: Traffic will detour south on U.S. 69 and west on I-435 to access southbound I-35.
▪ Southbound I-35 to westbound and eastbound I-435: Traffic will detour south on U.S. 69 to access I-435.
Traffic at 95th Street, 87th Street Parkway and U.S. 69 also will be affected.
In addition to the weekend closing, drivers can expect major delays and detours next week along eastbound I-435 because it will be closed from Lackman to Pflumm roads overnight four times.
The highway will close at 10 p.m. each night from Wednesday through next Saturday and reopen the following morning at 5 a.m. Bridge girders are being installed for the new eastbound I-435 to northbound I-35 flyover ramp.
To reach Robert A. Cronkleton, call 816-234-4261 or send email to bcronkleton@kcstar.com.
Weekend detours
During the closure of Interstate 35 this weekend, traffic will be detoured along the following routes:
▪ Northbound I-35 through traffic: Traffic will detour east on I-435 and north on U.S. 69 to access northbound I-35.
▪ Northbound I-35 to westbound I-435: Traffic will detour east on I-435 and north on Quivira Road to access westbound I-435.
▪ Southbound I-35 through traffic: Traffic will detour south on U.S. 69 and west on I-435 to access southbound I-35.
▪ Southbound I-35 to westbound and eastbound I-435: Traffic will detour south on U.S. 69 to access I-435.
▪ Southbound I-35 to 95th Street: Traffic will detour south on U.S. 69 to access 95th Street.
▪ Northbound I-35 to 95th Street: Traffic will detour east on I-435 and north on U.S. 69 to access 95th Street.
▪ Westbound I-435 to northbound I-35: Traffic will detour north on U.S. 69 to access northbound I-35.
▪ Eastbound I-435 to northbound I-35: Traffic will detour east on I-435 and north on U.S. 69 to access northbound I-35.
▪ 95th Street to southbound I-35: Traffic will detour east on 95th Street, south on Quivira Road and west on westbound I-435 to access southbound I-435.
▪ 87th Street Parkway to southbound I-35: Traffic will detour south on U.S. 69 and west on I-435 to access southbound I-35.
▪ Northbound U.S. 69 to westbound I-435: Traffic will detour north on U.S. 69, west on 103rd street and south on U.S. 69 to access westbound I-435.
This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 11:26 AM with the headline "I-35 backed up in both directions this weekend near I-435 in Johnson County."