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At the Confluence Blog by tomhein

Ramblings, observations and news from the Wichita Metro – where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers converge and Jesse Chisholm marked U.S. 81 for his wagons (and a few years later, about five million cattle).

Posts: 8 | Created on January 16, 2009 | 4

Are You People Crazy???

By tomhein in At the Confluence on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 12:46 PM 3
Tags: crazy i135 interstate kellogg wichita | 5 Comments Post a Comment

I had a few (understatement) phone calls in the last few days and many of them started with similar questions. Why in the world would you (KDOT) want to close the ramps that link U.S 54/400 (the Kellogg Freeway through Wichita) with I-135? Are you plotting ways to make life more miserable for drivers? Are you people crazy?

Well, while I can’t write for all of us at KDOT, I’m pretty sure we’re not crazy and we’re not plotting against drivers. We are, however, responsible for the care and feeding of 10,000 miles of the state highway system and we intend to maintain the current highway infrastructure as well as make improvements for the future.

On February 18, at the monthly letting shindig, KDOT will open bids from contractors interested in making improvements to the I-135 & Kellogg Interchange. And as soon as we can get a signed contract, the “winner” of the contract will start the nine-month process of repairing 11 bridge decks, completely replacing one bridge, expanding four ramps, adding a ¼-mile lane extension on southbound I-135 plus complete a number of other repairs.

To facilitate the multi-location repairs within the interchange – one that handles up to 100,000 vehicles/day – some closures are necessary. The project is divided into two phases. In a nutshell, here’s what’s planned:

March – July Phase 1

  • All Kellogg to I-135 access CLOSED
  • I-235 will be official, marked detour for US-54 to I-135 traffic
  • EB & WB Kellogg will be reduced to two lanes for each direction
  • Through traffic on I-135 will not be affected
  • I-135 access to Kellogg will be open
  • Lane expansion – SB I-135 between Lincoln & Harry

July – November Phase 2

  • All I-135 to Kellogg access CLOSED
  • I-235 will be official, marked detour for I-135 to US-54 traffic
  • EB & WB Kellogg reduction to two lanes for each direction will continue
  • Through traffic on I-135 will not be affected
  • Kellogg access to I-135 will be open

If you call me about this project, please feel free to begin the conversation with “Are you people crazy???” That way I’ll know immediately what project you want to discuss.

Comments 

"As read" bids on Feb. 18:
Koss Construction Co. $21,097,396.87
Wildcat Construction Co. $22,837,807.66

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 4:29 PM

New Info: All bids rejected. Will be re-let later this spring. The project will have a longer time frame and it is hoped that this will bring bid amounts down. Stay tuned.

Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:25 PM

Personally, I see the Kellogg/235 interchange as being MUCH more important than doing anything to this interchange. I can see the need, but it seems like the money would be better spent on 235. However, I am a Westsider, so thats probably a natural feeling. I am by trade happy with any kind of Highway improvements, so this is still exciting.

Also, I am happy to see the city and state be budget conscious on this, but I also don't see the cost coming down much, paying this price now and getting it done opposed to waiting and saving some money might not be worth it.

Friday, March 06, 2009 4:07 PM

Squjid7085: You are not the first to express frustration that we would consider this project ahead of Kellogg & 235. But this one has an estimated cost of $18M and at K & 235, that would be enough money to, well, maybe tear out one of those annoying circle ramps. No $ to rebuild, just to tear it out. We are talking big $ at 235...

But back to the I-135 & Kellogg project.
Project re-bid is set for April. Work should start in May (we'll fast track the paperwork).

New schedule:
May 2009 – November 2009 Phase 1

-- All Kellogg to I-135 access CLOSED
-- I-235 will be official, marked detour for US-54 to I-135 traffic
-- EB & WB Kellogg will be reduced to two lanes for each direction
-- Through traffic on I-135 will not be affected
-- I-135 access to Kellogg will be open
-- Lane expansion: SB I-135 between Lincoln & Harry

March 2010 – November 2010 Phase 2

-- All I-135 to Kellogg access CLOSED
-- I-235 will be official, marked detour for I-135 to US-54 traffic
-- Kellogg open with three lanes each direction
-- Through traffic on I-135 will not be affected
-- Kellogg access to I-135 will be open

Monday, March 09, 2009 2:32 PM

April 16 Update

2nd Bid Letting "as read" numbers:
Wildcat Concrete Services, Topeka $19,686,450.01
Koss Construction, Topeka $20,945,551.25

Thursday, April 16, 2009 1:47 PM

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