The trip from Kansas City to the East Lawrence exit on the Kansas Turnpike is about to get about a quarter-mile shorter.
Beginning about 3 p.m. Thursday, westbound traffic turning off the turnpike at Exit 204 will need to do so about 1,500 feet east of the existing departure point, said Rex Fleming, project engineer.
The early-exit shift is being installed to give construction crews room to start putting up a concrete barrier, to be used later this year to separate traffic heading in both directions on the turnpike.
About 1,300 vehicles use the exit ramp each day, Fleming said.
“Follow the signs and be aware,” he said.
By Thanksgiving, crews plan to shift all turnpike traffic — heading both east and west — onto a new Kansas River bridge, so that existing bridges can be removed and replaced as part of a $130 million project scheduled for completion in 2011.
Exit 204 is scheduled to be closed eight months for reconstruction, beginning sometime in March.
Comments
Tim Quest 8 years, 9 months ago
I don't know how they'd do it, but I'm sure they'll manage to add another gratuitous roundabout in there somehow.
Laughwater 8 years, 9 months ago
There are quite a few roundabouts in Lawrence, I noticed. Is there an issue with not using stop signs? I realize it helps with the flow of traffic, but is it really THAT busy?
KS 8 years, 9 months ago
Roundabouts, along with cold beer and sliced bread are on my list as some of man's top inventions. If you can't negotiate a roundabout, turn your driver's license back in at Wal-Mart where you got it. Folks, get a life on this. They are here to stay. Just how much money do you want to waste in gas, electricity, etc. waiting at a stop sign or traffic light? Next time you are sitting at any red traffic light on 23rd street, with your air conditioner running full blast and your engine overheating, think about the price of gas that you are wasting,
Bryan Wilcox 8 years, 9 months ago
Roundabouts are great, when used appropriately. I'll admit that I complained about them just like everyone else when they first started appearing, but they really do save time. If you can't navigate a roundabout, you shouldn't be driving.
For examples of poorly executed roundabouts, see: 18th & Illinois st. http://bit.ly/3BaxTS
Or look up the road at 17th & Illinois st. Same foolishness.
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