KanBikeWalk sends this message about an important public meeting regarding a road project that will impact bicyclists using the popular 199th Street route between Gardner and Edgerton in southwest Johnson County. This rural area is rapidly suburbanizing, and will soon see heavy truck traffic from the BNSF inter-modal freight hub. So, it’s critical for cyclists to speak up now while plans are being made for the future the roads in this area.
KDOT announces the second public meeting for the “SW Johnson County Interhcange”. This proposed interchange is being planed to handle the future truck and commuter traffic associated with the future +/-1, 000 acre BNSF Intermodal Facility planned for the 4 Corners Road and Old 56 Highway area between Gardner and Edrgerton. THIS PROJECT WILL HAVE HUGE IMPACT ON ALL BICYCLING BETWEEN GARDNER AND EDGERTON, ESPECIALLY ON 199TH ST.
YOUR VOICE AND PARTICIPATION IS CRITICAL! KanBIkeWalk WILL be there to discuss the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians to encourage a bicycle-friendly design is taken, but nothing affects the outcome more than numbers of people expressing the same concern.
What: SW Johnson County Interchange Public Open House
When: Thursday, April 29th
5:00PM-7:00PM
Where: Jo Co Parks & Recreation’s Midvale Farms
(the farm with all the white fence on 199th east of Old 56 Hwy)
35250 West 199th Street
Edgerton, KSTO LEARN MORE GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK:
http://i35swjohnsoncointerchange.ksdot.org/MeetingSchedule.aspx
A project this vast requires a broad approach to minimize impact upon and provide accommodation for the various users. At this point of study, KanBikeWalk is recommending a multi-facted approach to accommodating bicyclists and pedestrians. Bike lanes and/or wide shoulder must be included on all corridors currently used by bicyclists. This include 199th St. Old 56 Hwy, and other section line roads which are to be upgraded as a result of this interchange and the BNSF Intermodal Facility. Sidewalks should be provided over major structures, such as bridges, to accommodate future pedestrians and recreation bicyclists as the area develops.
At the last public meeting, KDOT presented 3 alternatives, which had varying degrees of impact on bicyclists, particularly those who frequently bicycle on 199th Street east of Edgerton. One of the alternatives would locate the interchange on 199th Street and route much of the truck traffic, projected at approximately 7,000 trucks per day at build out in 2030onto 199th. YOUR VOICE is critical to insure the corridor is designed to safely accommodate on-road bicyclists through this future growth area and the new interchange.
Over the next 20 years the area between Gardner and Edgerton is projected to change dramatically. Bicyclists MUST speak up NOW to make sure this change is for the BETTER and not the worse. All future roads serving this area, including and in particular, the new interchange, must be designed with bike lanes and the ability to accommodate future sidewalk and possibly trails. The Intermodal facility will generate 1,000′s of new jobs directly and indirectly as numerous business locate in it’s proximity. This will in turn attract new residential development. Bicyclists, whehter they be commuters, on-road enthusiasts or recreational riders, must be considered as part of the transportation mix if the area is to truly be an “intermodal” area.
To learn more about the entire project, its history and status go to:
http://i35swjohnsoncointerchange.ksdot.org/Default.aspx
RIDE TO THE MEETING: Weather permitting, I planning on riding to the Open House from Olathe (38 mile round trip) leaving at 4:00 PM from the Johnson County Square, 100 Kansas Ave, Olathe, KS (between JO CO Courthouse and Administration Buildings). Anyone is welcome to join me. I anticipate arriving at about 5:15-5:30, stay +/- one hour and heading back. Please bring lights in case it gets dark before we’re back. If it’s raining or rain is imminent, I’ll be driving instead. I’ll make a call on the weather at 3:00 PM and post a message.
Dale Crawford, RLA, ASLA
KanBikeWalk Vice-President
