KDOT Project # 400-106 KA-2375-01

What Happens Next? Comments, Questions and Contacts KDOT Project # 400-106 KA-2375-01 Once we reveiw the comments received and make We invite you to fill out a comment form this eve- any needed adjustments, the design of these passing ning, or take one home with you to complete and July 2011 will begin, in the Spring of 2012. Some of the mail or e-mail by August 5, 2011 to: passing lanes will be designed “in-house” and some will be designed by consultants. We plan to begin Sue Stringer survey work on US-400 this fall with construction KDOT Public Involvement Liaison anticipated on the first projects in 2015. 2nd Floor West US-400 Passing Lanes 700 SW Harrison St Public Involvement Topeka, KS 66603 e-mail: [email protected] Welcome! KDOT staff has evaluated the corridor and identi- 785-296-8669 fied locations for ten sets of passing lanes, as shown Through this series of public open houses, we are Thank you for attending the US-400 Passing Lanes with red dots on the map (Illustration 3) on the next looking to you, as daily users of US-400, for input For additional questions regarding these passing Public Open House. The purpose of this meeting is to two pages. $30 million is allotted through T-WORKS on these locations. KDOT staff is available to help projects please contact one of the following: provide you with an opportunity to review the passing for construction costs for these projects. While there is explain the passing lanes and discuss any issues you lane locations, ask questions, and present any concerns no doubt we will be able to design ten passing lanes, might have regarding these projects. Priscilla Petersen related to the overall projects or any of the specific pass- our estimates project we can build eight sets of passing Southeast District Public Affairs Manager ing lanes. Your input is important and we thank you for lanes. Although, if construction bids are lower than es- taking the time to participate. T-WORKS Website 411 West 14th timated, we may build more than eight. The sequence Chanute, KS 66730 of building these passing lane projects will be deter- [email protected] Beginning in 2006, the Kansas Department of mined once the design is underway. KDOT is gearing up to deliver the next trans- Transportation (KDOT) hosted statewide meetings in portation program for Kansas. We encourage you to Kristy Kelley partnership with local officials to select potential trans- Several factors were considered in the locations, visit the T-WORKS website, Southeast District Community Affairs Manager portation projects. US-400 was one of the highways such as safety, spacing, cities along the route, side www.ksdot.org/tworks, where you can track our 411 West 14th regionally supported as a significant corridor needing , topography and . progress every step of the way. If you have any Chanute, KS 66730 improvements. The addition of passing lanes along questions about how to use the site, don’t hesistate [email protected] the corridor was among the selected projects for the When US-400 was constructed approximately 20 to contact KDOT Public Affairs at 785-296-3585 T-WORKS transporation program. years ago, there were areas along this portion of the Martin Miller route that were designed as “two on four” meaning South Central District Public Affairs Manager Project Scope right of way was purchased with a long-term goal of 500 N Hendricks building a four-lane divided in some areas, Hutchinson, KS 67504 These US-400 expansion projects will add several but only two lanes were constructed. However, even [email protected] locations of side-by-side passing lanes, (Illustration 1) with this extra right of way, some additional right of along the 140 mile corridor from Butler County to way will be needed. Rather than constructing a set of Cherokee County. The projects are a good example separate lanes as with a four-lane divided highway, the of practical improvements and designing to a budget. passing lanes will use the existing roadway and build Passing lanes allow motorists the opportunity to safely an additional lane and on each side of the cur- and easily pass slower vehicles, while improving traf- rent facility. (Illustration 2) Because of this, right of fic flow at a much lower cost than a traditional expan- way will be needed from adjoining property owners sion to four lanes. where the passing lanes will be built. This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request. for information about obtaining an alternative format, contact the Bureau of Transportation Information, 700 SW Harrison, 2nd Floor West, Topeka, KS 66603-3754, or phone 785-296-3585 (Voice)/Hearing Impaired - 711 4

KDOT Project # 400-106 KA-2375-01 US-400 During Construction How is a Passing Lane different than a ?

US-400 will be “carried through construction” meaning the highway will not be closed to traffic. Motorists that already drive US-400 are familiar with climbing lanes and may wonder what the difference is. Motorists will be able to access the highway and get to their destinations via US-400, but may experience Both allow passing opportunities around slower moving vehicles, but climbing lanes offer the chance to get out minor delays during construction. from behind a slower moving vehicle due to an uphill climb. Passing lanes are designed to provide passing op- portunities and improve traffic flow.

Driving a passing lane is similiar to a climbing lane, although the approaching signage may be a bit different. In a climbing lane slower traffic is instructed to keep right allowing faster moving vehicles to pass. With a pass- ing lane, all motorists are instructed to drive in the right hand lanes, except to pass slower moving vehicles. The passing lanes constructed on US-400 will be approximately 1-1/2 to 2 miles in length.

Illustration 1 Illustration 2

Illustration 3 2 3