 |
| Transit vehicles have utilized the shoulders on I-35 in Johnson County since 2012. This service will now be expanded along I-35 into Wyandotte County as well. |
A
project to allow transit vehicles to utilize the shoulder along I-35 during
times of congestion and continue the efforts of bus-on-shoulder operations in
Wyandotte County is one of the projects approved as part of KDOT’s monthly
construction letting for July.
In
2012, Johnson County Transit started operating on I-35 after legislation was
passed in 2011 for the section in Johnson County only. Legislation passed last
year allowing for it to be operational in Wyandotte County. Improvements along
I-35 in Wyandotte County will be made as a part of this project, and completion
of this project will now allow for usage of the shoulder on I-35 for the entire
stretch from Johnson County to Wyandotte County.
The
transit vehicles can operate on the shoulder at speeds of no more than 10mph
above traffic flow and at a maximum of 35mph. The operation increases travel
time reliability for the transit vehicles which can ultimately lead to
increased usage of transit and serves as a congestion mitigation tool. In 2016
buses utilized the shoulder 2,053 times traveling more than 2,000 miles on the
shoulder.
Gunter
Construction Company of Kansas City is the contractor on the $119,058.15
project. To see all of the projects in KDOT’s July construction letting, click here.
