KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- At 12:10 p.m. yesterday, Wednesday, December 17, the new K-7 to eastbound I-70 entrance ramp (Ramp D in photo above) was opened to unrestricted traffic in Bonner Springs.
This ramp work is part of the K-7 & I-70 Interchange Project Phase 1 construction.
Effective as of 12:10 p.m. yesterday, K-7 traffic must NOW utilize the new K-7 to eastbound I-70 entrance ramp located south of I-70 at Speaker Road (see project map above for new ramp location).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Instead of following the multiple lighted portable message boards and new permanent green directional highway signage for the new ramp, K-7 motorists continue to try and access the former eastbound I-70 entrance ramp (noted as Ramp F in above photo) via Canaan Drive and when they follow this former traffic movement they end up on westbound I-70/KTA. K-7 traffic must then travel on westbound I-70/KTA until they reach the KTA Toll Plaza located approximately 7-8 miles west of the K-7 & I-70 interchange where they can then turnaround to head back on eastbound I-70.
(See aerial map below for location of multiple lighted portable message boards that advise drivers to the new ramp movement. Also, view several video links that show placement of the lighted portable message board signs and new permanent green directional highway signage directing traffic to the new K-7 to eastbound I-70 entrance ramp access. The video links are located on the NE Kansas KDOT Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/NEKansasKDOT/videos )
The new K-7 to eastbound I-70 entrance ramp is now accessed at Speaker Road, which is located just south of I-70. Access to the existing K-7 to eastbound I-70 ramp was located at Canaan Drive and this K-7 to eastbound I-70 entrance ramp access (at Canaan Drive) was CLOSED to all traffic at 2:45 p.m. yesterday as well.
The existing ramp bridge over I-70 will be removed via equipment starting Friday, December 18, weather permitting. It will take several days to remove the bridge and traffic impacts will include lane closures and short slowdowns during off peak hours on I-70.
Updated daily traffic information for this project and for the entire Kansas City Metro Area can be viewed online any time at: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp.
The K-7 & I-70 Interchange Project construction handout for Phases 1 and 2A-2B, including phasing schedule and traffic impacts, is available online at: http://www.ksdot.org/Assets/wwwksdotorg/bureaus/kcMetro/pdf/K-7%20and%20I-70%20Phase%202B%20Project%20Handout.pdf
The Kansas Department of Transportation urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and “Give ‘Em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through the project work zone.
Clarkson Construction is the project contractor on this $18 million construction Phase 1 project. This portion of the project work is scheduled to be completed in late Fall 2014. (KDOT Project #70-105 KA-1003-05)
