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Overhead shot of the new 95th Street & 1-35 diverging diamond interchange which is now open
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Travelers in
Johnson County woke up to great news this morning. The nearly three-year, $288
million Johnson County Gateway project is a step closer to completion. Today
marks the opening of the 95th Street and I-35 diverging diamond
interchange in Lenexa.
Tuesday,
Interim Kansas Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson, along with Lenexa
Mayor Mike Boehm, Gateway Interchange Constructors’
Bill Clarkson and Kansas Department of Transportation Project Director Paul
Gripka, celebrated this milestone at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and officially
declared this portion of the project completed.
Construction of the interchange began in February and has been closed to
traffic for six months. Secretary Carlson commented on how important the
opening of this interchange is to area businesses and travelers.
“We know the full closure of this interchange came with many traffic
delays and we understand what this means to commuters,” said Secretary Carlson.
“This project will make the daily commute faster, more efficient and
comfortable, while providing benefits to businesses in the 95th Street
corridor.”
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| A nighttime view of the 95th St. & I-35 diverging diamond interchange. |
The broader I-435/1-35/K-10 Gateway area carries more than 230,000 vehicles daily and that number is expected to grow by 150,000 in just 25 years.
Construction of the Gateway was prompted by the expected growth in traffic, needed repair,
economic development and safety concerns. The Gateway, which is the state’s
first major design-build project, is expected to be substantially complete by
the end of 2016.
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| This map explains how traffic is designed to move. |
Check out the video below for a flyover view of the new diverging diamond interchange.
