Wichita North Junction Interchange: County officials plea for infrastructure support

Sedgwick County officials joined a number of community partners including the City of Wichita and the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce in Topeka, KS to rally support for infrastructure improvements, specifically support for the Wichita North Junction Interchange (at I-135, I-235, K-254, and K-96).

The main interchange was built in the 1960s and 1970s; K-96 was added in the 1990s. Today, more than 93,000 vehicles use the North Junction and by 2050, traffic counts are expected to be more than 160,000 vehicles per day through it. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, there is an average of four crashes per week at this junction.

Chairman David Dennis said, “This is a dire situation and the interchange needs immediate attention for the safety of residents who use it today and who will use it in the years to come.”

After meeting with Kansas Department of Transportation, County leaders are encouraged that the first phase of the project will begin as soon as next year.

“What we need now is for citizens to reach out when and where they can to their congressmen, senators, and state legislators, to let these officials know how important this project is to them,” stated Commissioner Dave Unruh.

This interchange is important to the safety of the South Central Kansas region, success of the local economy, and to maintain the quality of life residents enjoy.