The Kansas Department of Transportation will open a new ramp this week that is part of an improvement project for the North Junction in Wichita.
The 1.5-mile-long ramp will provide access from northbound I-235 to eastbound K-96 at 29th Street North and Hydraulic. The ramp does not connect to southbound I-135, and drivers who need to go south will need to continue past the new ramp to Exit 16B.
Exit 16B will now direct traffic to southbound I-135, while Exit 16C remains for northbound I-135.
Work continues on two other projects:
- A loop ramp will be replaced from westbound K-96 to southbound I-135 with a two-lane flyover direct connection along with widening southbound I-135 south of K-96.
- A new two-lane ramp will also be provided from westbound K-96 to northbound I-135.
The projects make up what is called the Gold Project at the North Junction. The goals of the project are to address the morning peak congestion times by providing a direct connection from I-235 northbound to K-96 eastbound. It also includes 2-lane ramps from K-96 westbound to I-135 northbound and southbound and associated auxiliary lanes. The project involves 11 bridges, one bridge widening, six full bridge demolitions, one box extension and 12 retaining walls. This includes six railroad overpasses: one over the BNSF Railway and five over the Union Pacific Railroad.
The $140.8 million project began in February 2023, with a completion date in mid-2026.
[ photo: KanDrive.gov ]
