Johnson County Gateway named one of nation’s top transportation projects

The Johnson County Gateway Project Phase two was KDOT's first design-build project.

KDOT’s Johnson County Gateway Phase 2 project has been named one of the Top 12 national finalists in the 2017 America’s Transportation Awards competition.

The $288 million project, the first and largest design-build transportation project completed in Kansas, emerged as a finalist out of a record 92 project nominations from 38 states. The Johnson County Gateway project will now compete for the grand prize and the People’s Choice Award.

The grand prize will be determined by an independent panel of transportation industry experts. The People’s Choice Award will be decided by online popular vote, with votes scaled to state populations. Online voting is now underway and continues through midnight on Thursday, Sept. 21. Kansans are encouraged to cast a vote for the project by visiting the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) website at http://AmericasTransportationAwards.org. Individuals can vote once a day.

“The Johnson County Gateway is a vital economic corridor, not only for the region but for the state of Kansas,” said Gov. Sam Brownback. “As the improvements achieved through this project encourage new development opportunities and job growth, the economic benefit is expected to exceed $1 billion over the next two decades. I am pleased to see the Gateway recognized as one of the top transportation projects in the nation.”

“We are honored to see this project receive national recognition,” said Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson. “The design-build team worked hard to minimize the impact on travelers, ultimately completing the project six months ahead of schedule. The Gateway improvements address more than 90 percent of the traffic problems in the project area, and we are excited to celebrate its success.”

The Johnson County Gateway included reconstruction and capacity improvements within the I-435, I-35 and K-10 interchange area along with improvements at several major local interchanges. Within the project area, there were 56 new lane miles added as well as 22 new and five rehabilitated bridges, including three new two-lane flyover bridge ramps and widened bridges on I-435 and I-35.

The America’s Transportation Awards competition is celebrating its 10^th year and is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Two KDOT projects named regional winners in America's Transportation Awards Competition

Two major Kansas Department of Transportation projects that were completed in Overland Park and Lawrence last year were announced yesterday as regional winners in the 2017 America’s Transportation Awards competition.

An aerial view of the Johnson County Gateway I-35 and 95th Street Diverging Diamond Interchange. The JoCo Gateway tied for first in the "Operations Excellence, large project" category at the America's Transportation Awards.

KDOT’s Johnson County Gateway Phase 2 project, the first and largest design-build transportation project completed in Kansas, tied for first in the “Operations Excellence, large project” category. The K-10 South Lawrence Trafficway East Leg was selected the regional winner in the “Operations Excellence, medium project” category. Both projects will now be considered for inclusion as national finalists to compete for the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award.

An aerial view of the South Lawrence Trafficway at the Haskell Avenue Interchange in Lawrence. The SLT was the regional winner in the "Operations Excellence, medium project"  category at the America's Transportation Awards.

“These well-deserved awards are a testament to the excellence of Kansas highways,” said Gov. Sam Brownback. “Our state highway system is one of the best in the nation, and Kansas will continue to see the benefits from these projects for years to come as they serve commuters and facilitate commerce in vital economic corridors for the state.”

Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson said, “I am proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by KDOT professionals to help make these projects successful. From the beginning of the planning process to a project’s completion, our staff is committed to pursuing excellence every step of the way, and the Johnson County Gateway and South Lawrence Trafficway were no exceptions. These projects are great examples of KDOT’s commitment to providing a highway system that meets the needs of Kansans.”

Aerial view of the I-35/I-435 Interchange two-lane flyover. The JoCo Gateway tied for first in the
"Operations Excellence, large project" category at the America's Transportation Awards

“Every project nominated in this competition represents the hard work and dedication of state DOTs across the country to meet the transportation needs of the communities we serve,” said David Bernhardt, president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. “For 10 consecutive years, the America’s Transportation Awards have given state DOTs the recognition they deserve for providing the essential connections that keep people, goods and our economy moving forward.”

An aerial view of the South Lawrence Trafficway. The SLT was the regional winner in the "Operations Excellence, medium project"  category at the America's Transportation Awards

The Johnson County Gateway project included reconstruction and capacity improvements within the I-435, I-35 and K-10 interchange area along with improvements at several major local interchanges. Within the project area, there were 56 new lane miles added as well as 22 new and five rehabilitated bridges, including three new two-lane flyover bridge ramps and widened bridges on I-435 and I-35.

The South Lawrence Trafficway East Leg included construction of a new four-lane, six-mile freeway around the east side of Lawrence, connecting the existing K-10 with the new highway. Construction work included 24 bridges, 29.4 highway lane miles, 16.3 miles of local roads and three new interchanges.

The America’s Transportation Awards competition is celebrating its 10^th year and is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Johnson County Gateway completion celebrated with ribbon cutting

The ribbon was officially cut yesterday on the mega Johnson County Gateway project by distinguished event speakers (from left to right in photo above):  

KDOT Acting Secretary Richard Carlson; Kansas Governor Sam Brownback; Kansas Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer; FHWA Deputy Administrator David Kim;  

Johnson County Commissioner Ed Eilert; City of Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm; City of Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland; and Gateway Interchange Constructors Bill Clarkson

The large, complex Johnson County Gateway project, expected to fully open early next week, was celebrated by local, state and federal officials yesterday in Lenexa.

The ribbon-cutting at Crowne Plaza Hotel marked the substantial completion of Kansas’ first design-build project. The $288 million Gateway has been under construction for 2½ years at the convergence of Interstates 35 and 435 and K-10.

“The Gateway project will be a means of improved travel for tens of thousands of commuters. With the addition of 56 new highway lane miles and more than 27 new and rehabbed bridges, the project provides a conduit for increased economic development, safe travel and the movement of freight,” said Gov. Sam Brownback.

More than 150 people were in attendance to celebrate the completion of KDOT's first design-build project.
The Johnson County Gateway is set to open early next week to travelers. 

The Gateway is the state’s first major design-build project, a construction method authorized under the T-WORKS transportation program. Under this approach, the design-build team works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services. This differs from the traditional design-bid-build method.

KDOT, along with the project management consultant team from HNTB, worked with Gateway Interchange Constructors, the design-builders who constructed the complex expansion project. GIC is a joint venture led by Kansas City, Mo.-based Clarkson Construction Co., which partnered with Kiewit Infrastructure Co. Additional key members of the team included design firms HDR Engineering and George Butler Associates.

“The design-build contracting approach allows states to deliver projects more quickly and more cost-effectively,” FHWA Deputy Administrator David S. Kim said. “Through our Every Day Counts initiative, the FHWA encourages innovations such as design build that save time and money for U.S. taxpayers.” 

More than 230,000 vehicles travel the Gateway corridor daily.

“With the number of vehicles expected to grow to 380,000 by 2040, drivers will now experience commutes with improved efficiency, decreased travel delays and safer travel through the I-435/I-35/K-10 interchange,” said Acting Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson.

For some highlights from yesterday's event check out this video:

For more information, visit the project website: jocogateway.com and check out the video below for a closer look at this mega project.