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[sprjus4]

I have such a hard time buying any argument against toll lanes.

Using tax dollars to construct new lanes to then charge drivers an additional fee to drive in them?

  But is it really a sustainable business model?

Funny, they’ve added numerous of GP lanes back in the Hampton Roads area where I’m at over the last 30-40 years, and those areas still have virtually no congestion during peak hours, but right when it merges to 2 lanes each way (with LESS traffic volumes than the expanded 8 lane areas), bottleneck and bumper to bumper traffic.

But sure… “induced demand” 

[skluth]

I have such a hard time buying any argument against toll lanes.

Using tax dollars to construct new lanes to then charge drivers an additional fee to drive in them?

  But is it really a sustainable business model?

Funny, they’ve added numerous of GP lanes back in the Hampton Roads area where I’m at over the last 30-40 years, and those areas still have virtually no congestion during peak hours, but right when it merges to 2 lanes each way (with LESS traffic volumes than the expanded 8 lane areas), bottleneck and bumper to bumper traffic.

But sure… “induced demand” 

Huh? Most of the Tidewater backups are at the water crossings (HRBT, Hi-Rise Bridge), but I remember daily backups at I-64/264 when I lived in the area. Local authorities went back to tolling both the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels since I left (to pay for the much needed second Midtown tube), so the only way to fix one of the local bottlenecks was to toll it. Another local bottleneck that is now tolled after expansion is the Elizabeth River US 17 bridge, and Chesapeake built the tolled Chesapeake Expressway 20 years ago to get traffic out of Great Bridge. The cancelled Southeastern Parkway was also going to be a toll road. It seems like Tidewater is using toll roads to fix bottlenecks even if you don't personally use them.

[sprjus4]

^ I’m referring to segments of I-64 that have been expanded to 8 lanes - I-464 to I-264, north of I-664 on the Peninsula, also I-264 east of Independence Blvd… US-58 between Suffolk and Bowers Hill was also constructed as a rural 6 lane divided highway in the 70s… plus 6 lanes of I-464 for most of its length.

None of these segments built or widened with 6 or more lanes have recurring congestion even at peak hours, and carrying high volumes of traffic.

I never mentioned the crossings, which are bottlenecks now proposed to be addressed with HO/T lanes. We shall see how they hold up in the next decade once built, notably the HRBT and HRB.

Chesapeake built the Dominion Blvd project as a toll road because there was simply no funding. The city and area residents heavily opposed the use of tolling initially - it’s not popular and they tried holding out for years to find the funding… they reluctantly finally agreed to it because it was the only way to get it built. The same for the Expressway, which the toll portion does not bypass Great Bridge, it bypasses the southern portion of rural 2 lane Battlefield. The Great Bridge portion was built by VDOT in 1980 toll free.

Despite its continued use and growth, tolling continues to seem to be heavily opposed to locally, especially as the now proposed billions of dollars worth of HO/T lane expansions in the area heavily rely on tax dollars.

Portions of I-64 west of I-464 and all of I-664 could be expanded to 8 general purpose lanes and likely suffice for decades to come.

[Scott5114]

I have such a hard time buying any argument against toll lanes.

Using tax dollars to construct new lanes to then charge drivers an additional fee to drive in them?

Eh, if this was really a huge argument against the project it could easily be dispelled by just paying for it with KTA funds.

And, as I've alluded to before, I don't think people are going to be particularly up in arms about paying a few bucks to use a toll lane in this area. The 2010 census median household income for Overland Park is $71,513, which is frankly kind of absurd for a Plains state (for Kansas as a whole it's $56,422).

  But is it really a sustainable business model?

Funny, they’ve added numerous of GP lanes back in the Hampton Roads area where I’m at over the last 30-40 years, and those areas still have virtually no congestion during peak hours, but right when it merges to 2 lanes each way (with LESS traffic volumes than the expanded 8 lane areas), bottleneck and bumper to bumper traffic.

But sure… “induced demand” 

Any traffic increase on US-69 is going to be the result of traffic that was avoiding 69 and using Metcalf, Quivira, etc. instead shifting back to the freeway where it belongs. So while you'll see an increase of traffic on 69, you'll see less on surface streets.

[mvak36]

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/overland-park-city-council-approves-us-69-toll-lane

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — An express toll lane will be added to U.S. 69 Highway in Overland Park.

The Overland Park City Council voted 10-2 to approve the expansion for the roadway, which the Kansas Department of Transportation estimates is used by roughly 80,000 drivers daily between West 103rd and West 197th streets, with the toll-lane included.

[mvak36]

https://www.69express.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021.06.25_US69_NewsRelease_KTA_SFC_Approvals_FINAL.pdf

U.S. 69 Express toll lanes receive approvals from Kansas Turnpike Authority, State Finance Council

KDOT continues public engagement, project environment assessment

TOPEKA–Following the June 21 approval by the Overland Park City Council to add express toll lanes to U.S. 69 between 151st and 103rd streets, the project received additional required approvals this week from the Kansas Turnpike Authority and the State Finance Council.

The KTA board voted 5-0 to approve and the State Finance Council voted 8-0 in favor of the KDOT-Overland joint proposal for express toll lanes on U.S. 69.

“The Overland Park City Council, Kansas Turnpike Authority and State Finance Council decisions set direction for how KDOT will proceed with the next phases of the U.S. 69 Expansion and Modernization project,” said KDOT Deputy Secretary Lindsey Douglas.

The environmental assessment has been underway since the project began in October 2020, and KDOT expects it to be complete in late 2021. A noise study also will be conducted to determine whether noise levels specific to the express toll lanes configuration meet or exceed federal and state guidelines.

KDOT’s public engagement efforts will continue throughout the life of the project. Over the next year, Overland Park residents can participate in several public meetings – one when the environmental analysis is complete in October, one in February 2022 about right-of-way acquisitions and one prior to the start of construction. Groups also may request project presentations through the U.S. 69 Expansion project website at Feedback – 69 Express.

In addition to a new, third tolled lane in each direction, the initial project phase will include a completely rebuilt U.S. 69 roadway between 151st and 103rd streets, as well as reconfigured interchanges at Blue Valley Parkway and at I-435.

[mvak36]

https://davids.house.gov/media/in-the-news/us-highway-69-project-overland-park-would-get-15m-federal-funds-bill-passed-house

Federal money from a $715 billion infrastructure bill approved by the U.S. House Thursday could make the project to expand U.S. Highway 69 in Overland Park richer, if the measure survives an eventual Senate conference.

The prospective $15 million injection —plus a state match — is targeted specifically at the 167th Street interchange.

[route56]

The US 69 widening in Overland Park is one of the improvement projects that will be built as part of the IKE program.

https://ikewebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/files/Construction-Announcements-2021/US69_Johnson_July2021.pdf

Plans are scheduled to be let next year... 0.85:1 that Clarkson winds up with the best bid.

[Ned Weasel]

https://ikewebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/files/Construction-Announcements-2021/US69_Johnson_July2021.pdf

First express toll lane in the Midwest.

I guess the ones in Minnesota don't count because HOVs get to use them for free?

[mvak36]

Got a newsletter via email about the project:

Construction on the 69Express project is set to begin later this year. The project will involve adding a new, third tolled lane in each direction from 151st to 103rd streets, replacement of 50-year old pavement, 11 noise walls, and improving interchanges at 167th street, Blue Valley Parkway and I-435. The existing two lanes in each direction will remain untolled as they are now.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) also is working this summer to focus on making sure 69Express provides equity in area mobility access; selects a proven, effective design-build team to implement nearly three years of construction ahead; and kicks off construction with a September groundbreaking. 

KDOT continues its review and analysis of competing design-build teams’ proposals for constructing the U.S. 69 improvements. A winning team and approach are expected to be announced mid-summer. KDOT selected design-build for delivering 69Express because it means this complex Project can be completed more quickly through improved innovation and collaboration. Once a team is selected, the official Project groundbreaking ceremony will follow in mid-September. 

They haven't posted the newsletter on the project site yet but I think it should be on there sometime soon.

[The Ghostbuster]

Whatever happens to the corridor, I do hope they eliminate that left-hand southbound on-ramp from the Blue Valley Parkway, and move it to the right-hand side.

[Ned Weasel]

Whatever happens to the corridor, I do hope they eliminate that left-hand southbound on-ramp from the Blue Valley Parkway, and move it to the right-hand side.

That will cost a lot of money, but it's worth it considering the scope of this project.  I would be appalled if they didn't.

[mvak36]

Whatever happens to the corridor, I do hope they eliminate that left-hand southbound on-ramp from the Blue Valley Parkway, and move it to the right-hand side.

It looks like that is the plan. Here is one pdf I found on the site: https://www.69express.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/U.S.-69-Concept-Exhibits-Express-Toll-Lane-and-Traditional-Widening-Alternatives.pdf. The alternative shown on Page 2 is what got selected, but I don't believe the plans shown on the drawings are final. They might change once the design-build contractor is selected.

I'm also looking forward to them getting rid of that loop from US69 to 435 WB and replacing it with a flyover.

[Plutonic Panda]

Looks like the bids came in over estimate and I’ll beat this dead horse again and again. What an idiotic project. Just add a damned GP lane or make it two toll lanes each way. One or the other.

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/bidders-wanted-more-money-than-kdot-budgeted-to-build-an-express-lane-on-u-s-69

[The Ghostbuster]

So the bidders are getting greedy. I am shocked. NOT!

[mvak36]

I guess I missed this last month. They have selected a design-build team. : https://www.69express.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022.09.19_69Express_DBAnnouncement.pdf

US69 Express Constructors is a joint venture between Ames Construction and Emery Sapp & Sons. The team has extensive design-build experience on projects ranging from $20 million to $1.2 billion as well as constructing 12 express toll lane projects across the country. Design-build streamlines the project delivery process through a single contract between KDOT and the design-build team. Selection for the $570 million 69Express design-build project was based on how well the winning team met KDOT’s goals of balancing minimizing the impact on travel during construction, reducing cost and delivering the project on schedule.

“KDOT was pleased to receive high-quality proposals from two very strong design-build teams,” Rockers said. “US69 Express Constructors proposed innovative ideas to optimize the design, strategic incorporation of recycled materials and a coordinated approach to constructing the project that will minimize impacts to traffic.”

The 69Express project involves adding a new, tolled lane in each direction from 103rd to 151st Streets in Overland Park, replacement of 50-year-old pavement, construction of 11 noise walls and improving interchanges at 167 th Street, Blue Valley Parkway and I-435. The existing four lanes of U.S. 69 will remain as non-tolled, general-purpose lanes.

KDOT plans to break ground on 69Express in November, with substantial construction beginning in 2023. The express lanes are anticipated to open in late 2025 with construction concluding in 2026.

[johndoe]

"KDOT received two qualified proposals on the U.S. 69 express lane project in Overland Park which exceeded KDOT’s most recent project estimate of $430 million"

"The design-build project is now expected to cost approximately $570 million to complete."

"The revised approach will save Kansas taxpayers $6 million"

Wait, what?

[mvak36]

They broke ground on this project yesterday.

https://fox4kc.com/news/kansas-news/groundbreaking-for-69express-toll-lanes-takes-place/

[mvak36]

They had the open house for this project yesterday.

Virtual Open House: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f366c3224d81481c97888f23b6f2cc8e

I was hoping they would build the flyover ramp from 69N to 435WB as part of this but it's going to be part of a future phase.

[The Ghostbuster]

Are there any studies about built more Toll Lanes around the Kansas City area? I have a hard time believing the US 69 corridor is the only location that will have toll lanes in the future.

[Ned Weasel]

Are there any studies about built more Toll Lanes around the Kansas City area? I have a hard time believing the US 69 corridor is the only location that will have toll lanes in the future.

K-10.  https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article319836.html