All ramps at the interchange of Kansas Highway 7 and U.S. Highway 24-40 in Wyandotte County will close at 8:30 a.m. today so that construction can begin on a new interchange.

The ramps will remain closed throughout the duration of the project except for periodic access as required by construction.

In addition, on Saturday, US-24/40 (State Avenue) will be closed from 130th to 142nd streets for demolition work on part of the existing K-7 bridge. U.S. 24/40 will close from 8 p.m. Saturdayand will reopen to all traffic at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Updated daily lane and ramp closure information for this interchange project can be viewed online at www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp. Drivers should expect minor delays during the project and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible.

The existing cloverleaf interchange will be replaced with a partial cloverleaf interchange and the addition of auxiliary lanes on K-7 and U.S. 24-40. The lane addition will provide traffic with acceleration and deceleration lanes for the new interchange’s on- and off-ramps. Kansas Department of Transportation officials say that when completed, the new interchange will provide for a safer and more efficient driving experience for the traveling public.

APAC Kansas Inc. is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of $35.7 million. The scheduled completion date for the interchange project is early winter 2008.