How Will Access Change?

The following describes the permanent changes to access as a result of the project. Temporary changes to access during construction will be presented at later public meetings as each Work Package nears construction.

Along I-44, the proposed improvements include the removal of four existing access ramps either to or from W. 51^st Street or W. Skelly Drive. Each ramp is labeled (A, B, C, and D) in the images below.

• Removal – The I-44 eastbound (EB) on-ramp from W. Skelly Drive, just west of the intersection of Union Avenue (Ramp A).

• Removal – The W. Skelly Drive EB off ramp from I-44 just west of the Arkansas River bridge (Ramp B).

• Removal – The I-44 westbound (WB) on ramp from W. 51^st Street, just west of the Arkansas River bridge (Ramp C).

• Removal – The W. 51^st Street WB off ramp from I-44 just west of Union Avenue (Ramp D).

Ramp Removals

Please click on the images below to zoom in.

Some additional changes in access and travel patterns will be the result of two newly constructed roadways, one along the north side of I-44 on W. 51^st Street, and one along the east side of US-75 between W. 61^st Street and W. Skelly Drive.

• New Construction – A new segment W. 51^st Street will be constructed underneath a new US-75 bridge to reconnect the eastern and western portions of this arterial city street.

• New Construction – The US-75 interchange with W. 61^st Street will be reconstructed with the addition of a new two-way frontage road east of and along US-75 from W. 61^st Street, extending north to W. Skelly Drive, including a NB US-75 on ramp from the frontage road.

• New Construction – Three directional interchange ramps which will incorporate the WB I-44 to SB US-75, NB US-75 to WB I-44, and SB US-75 to EB I-44 movements.

New Roadway Connections

Please click on the image below to zoom in.

Overall, there will be several changes to access and travel patterns as a result of this project. The primary reason for these changes is for the safety of the traveling public, and to improve the functionality of the interchange and the adjacent local roads. 

The proposed access will provide for all traffic movements as well as provide pedestrian accommodations on arterial segments. The proposed access will be designed to meet or exceed current standards. 

The ultimate design will streamline ramp access to the local roads at the US-75 interchange to minimize conflict points and provide better traffic flow. Access to businesses will still be accommodated by extending W. 51^st Street across the north side of the US-75 interchange and constructing a connector road from W. Skelly Drive to W. 61^st Street. With the proposed updates to the corridor and new ramp configuration, new freeway guide signage is proposed.