Focus435 - Get the Facts - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

You can learn more about the Focus435 project by reading the answers to these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

What will the fly-over ramp at I-435 and US-69 look like?

A similar fly-over ramp is in Johnson County at the I-435/I-35 interchange. While that ramp has one lane, the ramp on this project will have two lanes.

What is the team doing about noise/noise walls?

KDOT must make a determination on the need for noise barriers in residential areas after analyzing noise impacts of the project.

KDOT first conducts a noise study to measure existing noise levels and to predict future noise levels with the help of the Federal Highway Administration's Traffic Noise Model. The results of the noise study determine whether KDOT needs to consider ways to reduce noise through a Noise Abatement Analysis.

KDOT will begin such an analysis if predicted noise levels are 66 decibels or greater, or the predicted noise levels exceed existing noise levels by 11 decibels or more. A vacuum cleaner at 10 feet measures about 72 decibels; a whisper is about 20 decibels.

What will happen to the Indian/Tomahawk Creek Bike and Hike Trail near the project?

The Focus 435 team will work with the city's parks and recreation department to minimize any impacts to this popular trail and keep trail users informed. There is a possibility that the alignment of the trail will need to be relocated and temporarily closed during a portion of construction.

What problems will the construction improvements solve?

In general, Focus435 improvements will be designed to efficiently handle expected growth in traffic volume. More specific solutions are described below.

The new Antioch Interchange will reduce congestion at the surrounding interchanges of I-435/Metcalf Avenue, US-69/College Boulevard and US-69/103rd Street. It also will enhance access to major employment centers.

I-435 widening from six to eight lanes will provide lane continuity from the Triangle Interchange of I-435/71 Highway/I-470 to US-69 and make entering and exiting safer.

The I-435/US-69 soutbound-to-eastbound fly-over ramp will be able carry traffic at higher speeds and eliminate the short distances for lane changes between the adjacent loop ramps.

The US-69/103rd Street Interchange reconstruction will provide northbound and southbound collector-distributor (CD) roads to keep slower traffic entering or exiting US-69 separate from the high-speed through-traffic.

Why are the improvements necessary?

Traffic demands of this growing economic core of Kansas are increasing. I-435 between Metcalf and US-69 is expected to carry nearly 200,000 vehicles daily by 2027. US-69 north of Metcalf is projected to carry almost 150,000 daily.

Focus435 improvements are needed in order to: ensure these roadways operate at acceptable levels of service; relieve congestion; improve safety and traffic flow; provide lane continuity; and enhance access to major employment centers.

What are the problems on these roads?

More than 130,000 vehicles travel daily through the I-435 corridor between US-69 and Metcalf. More than 88,000 vehicles travel daily through the US-69 corridor just north of I-435.

These freeway corridors and the surrounding interchanges currently operate beyond the capacity they were designed for, resulting in congestion, accidents, poor peak-hour levels of service, and difficulty changing lanes. Focus435 also will address what have come to be deficiencies in current roadway standards, such as narrow medians or short median barriers.

convienence and safety

FAQs