Local Consult meetings begin

We need your voice! Plan to attend a series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation. KDOT will provide Kansas an opportunity to help set the vision for transportation for the Sunflower State.  

The discussion begins this afternoon in Salina followed by meetings in Hutchinson, Independence, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, Dodge City and Hays.

“This is a transformational time in transportation,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz. “We need your help to chart our success into the future.”

At each meeting attendees will review facts and trends and explore alternative future possibilities through scenario planning. There will also be time to present information about transportation projects that were not discussed during last fall’s Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force meetings.

Check back here each day for updates and summaries of the Local Consult meeting discussions in each region. Look for a recap on the northcentral Kansas Local Consult Meetings in Tuesday’s blog. 

For more information check out our webpage: http://www.ksdot.org/LocalConsult/LocalConsult.asp

Stakeholders can discuss future transportation priorities at Local Consult meetings

A series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation will give citizens a chance to discuss regional transportation priorities and participate in scenario planning for the future.

“These meetings are an important opportunity for stakeholders to help set the vision for transportation in Kansas,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz.  “This is a transformational time in transportation, and we need you to help chart our success into the future.”

At the meetings, stakeholders will review facts and trends and explore alternative future possibilities through scenario planning. Stakeholders will also have the opportunity to present information about transportation projects not discussed during last fall’s Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force meetings.

“I strongly encourage you to attend KDOT’s upcoming local consult meetings, so we hear your thoughts and create a transportation system that works for all Kansans, regardless of where they live,” said Gov. Laura Kelly.

The Local Consult meetings are scheduled to take place in August in Salina, Hutchinson, Independence, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, Dodge City and Hays. A list of the dates, times, locations and a map are below.

To view an invitation to the meetings from Gov. Kelly and Secretary Lorenz, click https://vimeo.com/351478294/033c1e70dc

If possible, please contact Mike Moriarty, KDOT Chief of Transportation Planning, at 785-296-8864 or Michael.Moriarty@ks.gov to let us know which meeting you plan to attend.

Meeting schedule -

uSalina - Monday, Aug. 19

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kansas Highway Patrol Academy, 2025 East Iron

 

uHutchinson - Tuesday, Aug. 20

9 a.m. – Noon, Atrium Hotel & Conference Center, 1400 North Lorraine St.

uIndependence - Wednesday, Aug. 21

9 a.m. – Noon, Independence Civic Center, 410 N. Penn Ave.

uOverland Park - Thursday, Aug. 22

9 a.m. – Noon, Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Street

uTopeka - Monday, Aug. 26

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Capital Plaza, 1717 SW Topeka Blvd

uWichita - Tuesday, Aug. 27

9 a.m. – Noon, Eugene Metroplex, 5015 East 29th Street N

uDodge City - Wednesday, Aug. 28

9 a.m. – Noon, Dodge House Convention Center, 2409 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd.

uHays - Thursday, Aug. 29

9 a.m. – Noon; Fort Hays State Union, 700 College Drive

#IAMKDOT: Jason Dlugopolski

This month’s #IAMKDOT feature is Jason Dlugopolski who is an Equipment Operator Specialist in the Kansas City Metro Area. Jason began his career with KDOT in October 1999, as an Equipment Operator Trainee at the Lamar Subarea and has worked his way up to his current position in the agency.

“I was lucky to fall into a shop that I have really enjoyed working at through all these years,” Jason said.

When he is not working at KDOT, Jason is a part time instructor at Johnson County Community College where he teaches students how to receive their CDL. He is a husband, foster parent, father, brother and son, as well as a Knight of Columbus..

#IAMKDOT is an illustration project that recognizes KDOT employees who work hard to keep Kansans moving. This series also serves as a reminder for travelers to slow down and remember that underneath those neon vests are individuals with families, friends and hobbies waiting for them at home.

Do you know a KDOT worker that deserves recognition? Nominations are open! Email Mallory.Goeke@KS.gov today to get started! 

Work Zone Wednesday: I-435 to Metcalf Avenue in Johnson County

I-435 eastbound at U.S. 69

Improving and maintaining Kansas highways is part of KDOT’s mission for the state. In March, pavement reconstruction began on I-435 from one-half mile west of U.S. 69 to just east of Metcalf Avenue in Johnson County.

The $16.3 million project will replace old, deteriorating concrete pavement with new concrete pavement. This will alleviate the constant maintenance work that has been performed on this stretch of highway. The project work also includes bridge deck patching and resurfacing of approach slabs for the bridges over Indian Creek and Metcalf Avenue. The northbound U.S. 69 to westbound I-435 loop and a portion of the westbound I-435 collector-distributor road will also receive a face lift with a new asphalt overlay.

I-435 eastbound at Antioch in Johnson County. 

The I-435 pavement reconstruction project will take two constructions seasons and is scheduled to be completed by mid-November 2018, weather permitting. 

The 2017 construction season schedule includes work on eastbound I-435 lanes. 

For more information on this project, check out our I-435 Pavement Reconstruction Page here.

Updated daily traffic information for this project and for the entire Kansas City Metro Area can be viewed at: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp. 

Motorists are asked to use extra caution in the work zone area.

The Zipper Merge comes to Kansas

We are starting a new feature called Work Zone Wednesday that will highlight projects around the state. Today's feature is about the zipper merge. The zipper merge is popular in Minnesota and has been used in Washington state as well. It's a common question that KDOT gets on social media, when will Kansas use the zipper merge instead of backing up traffic for miles, use the zipper merge?

But what's the zipper merge?

The zipper merge asks traffic to stay in both lanes until they are told to merge, then take turns of every other car going until you are in one lane, flowing together like the teeth of zipper.

KDOT will be using the zipper merge, or late merge, on a bridge repair project in the Kansas City area, northbound U.S. 69 over 119th Street in Overland Park. It is important that drivers follow the signs instead of using the traditional early merge that has been used in Kansas for years. Don't lane block your fellow drivers, the two lanes are both to be used while traveling.

We've created this video to explain how the zipper merge will work in Kansas. For more information about the zipper merge and the project that it will be used on, please look here. And please zip the urge to merge!