Intermodal trucks damaging Johnson County Roads

A press release from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Intermodal trucks are damaging country roads. Apparently there are no legal limitations, so this is a request not do drive Heavy Diesel Trucks on those roads.

BNSF could require trucks entering their facility to meet any requirements they wish, including to travel on certain roads to reach the Interstate, but apparently has not done so.

From: Kimberly Qualls <kqualls@ksdot.org>

Date: November 25, 2013 1:20:03 PM CST

To: Kimberly Qualls <kqualls@ksdot.org>

Subject: I-35 BNSF Intermodal Facility COMMERCIAL TRUCK TRAFFIC ALERT in Edgerton (Johnson County) - November 25, 2013

The Kansas Department of Transportation would like to ask our partner agencies to share the following traffic alert information with any communication outlets that you feel would be beneficial in reaching the I-35 BNSF Intermodal Facility Commercial Truck Traffic (Edgerton, Johnson County, Kansas). Thank you!

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TRAFFIC ALERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 25, 2013

News Contact:  Kimberly Qualls, (785) 640-9340 or kqualls@ksdot.org

I-35

BNSF INTERMODAL COMMERCIAL TRUCK TRAFFIC via I-35: Beginning TODAY, Monday, November 25, all commercial truck traffic on I-35 traveling to/from the new Kansas City Logistics Park (BNSF Intermodal Facility) in Edgerton (Johnson County) should access this facility via the new I-35 & Homestead Lane interchange (Exit 205), not the existing I-35 & Gardner Road interchange (Exit 207).

Here’s why: Commercial truck traffic is currently utilizing the existing Gardner Road Interchange at I-35 and then following 191st Street west to the BNSF intermodal facility. 191st Street from Gardner Road to Waverly Road is a local Johnson County road and as an existing county road is not constructed to handle the heavy commercial truck traffic generated by the opening of the intermodal facility. This stretch of 191st Street is already experiencing damage to the roadway pavement due to the heavy commercial truck traffic use. (191st Street from Waverly Road west to the intermodal facility was recently reconstructed as a heavy haul road which can adequately accommodate the heavy truck traffic.)

The new diverging diamond interchange at I-35 and Homestead Lane was built to accommodate this heavy truck traffic. The I-35 and Homestead Lane Interchange, due to the free flow movements for heavy left turn movements through the interchange, provides a safer and more efficient route for commercial truck traffic.

This is the REQUESTED BNSF Intermodal commercial truck traffic route: Commercial truck traffic accessing the BNSF Intermodal Facility should exit I-35 at the Homestead Lane interchange. From there, commercial truck traffic will then travel north on the newly constructed portion of Homestead Lane and then west on 191st Street to access the intermodal facility.

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This information is available in alternative accessible formats. To obtain an alternative format,
contact KDOT Transportation Information, Eisenhower Building, 700 SW Harrison, 2nd Floor West,
Topeka, Kan., 66603-3754, or (785) 296-3585 (Voice)/Hearing Impaired - 711.