Sedgwick County commissioners split on highway project funding
Sedgwick County commissioners were unable to agree on funding for a major interchange project in west Wichita. They had a tie vote Wednesday on providing funding for the first phase of a project to rebuild the Kellogg and I-235 interchange. Commissioner Jim Skelton was unable to attend the meeting, so commissioners are expected to talk about the issue again, possibly as soon as next week.
The county is being asked to provide $11.6 million, and the Kansas Department of Transportation will fund the rest of the costs. Public works director David Spears says it's a 4-phase project to completely rebuild the interchange. The first phase, called the "red phase," will provide an elevated one-lane flyover ramp connecting northbound I-235 to westbound Kellogg, a 2-lane flyover ramp from southbound I-235 to eastbound Kellogg, the removal of the "loop" ramps in the southwest and northeast quadrants of the interchange, and several other improvements.
Commissioner Karl Peterjohn raised concerns about the county providing funding while the city of Wichita is not contributing to the project. Commissioner Dave Unruh said this is part of a package negotiated between the city, the county and KDOT that would also include the Kellogg and Webb Road and Kellogg and Greenwich Road intersections. Unruh said the improvements at the three locations will benefit all citizens of Sedgwick County.
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