Major I-135 ramp in Wichita closing in April

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Starting next month, an exit ramp on one of the busiest interchanges in Wichita will close, sending thousands of drivers on a detour. The interchange connects Interstate 135 with Kellogg, U.S. Highway 54, and U.S. Highway 400.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will close the I-135 southbound ramp to westbound U.S. 54 on Monday, April 8. The ramp will remain closed until late May.

The many southbound drivers who usually take the westbound ramp to Kellogg will be detoured to the Lincoln Street ramp. They will get onto Lincoln, loop around to the northbound I-135 ramp, and then take the westbound Kellogg ramp.

The red line and X mark the ramp that will close. The proposed detour has southbound I-135 drivers taking the Lincoln St. exit ramp, then re-entering I-135 northbound to get to westbound Kellogg. (Map courtesy KDOT)

There are stoplights at the ramps to and from Lincoln, so detoured drivers may have to slow down for other drivers stopping at the lights or merging onto Lincoln.

More to come

During the ramp closure, workers will be milling, patching and placing a concrete overlay on each side.

When it reopens, crews will close and start work on another one of the interchange bridges. KDOT hopes to complete work on a total of four of the interchange bridges, one at a time, by late November.

In addition to ramp closures and detours, drivers can expect a speed limit of 45 mph in the work zone.

KDOT asks motorists to stay alert and watch out for construction workers and possible blowing dust on southbound I-135.

Drivers can check the KDOT website, KanDrive.gov, to get an update on construction projects or call 511.