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Supplementary Project Mode(s):
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* Active Transportation * Bridge * Freight
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The 19th Street & Route 33 Intersection project is a key component of the greater transportation improvements needed to serve the new I-35 interchange at 19th Street. The interchange project includes a new bridge over I-35 and roadway improvements to 19th Street on both sides of the bridge. The 19th Street & Route 33 Intersection project, which is located approximately 1.0 miles east of the new interchange, will serve will both motorists and freight as increased traffic is anticipated due to the new interchange. Multimodal facilities on 19th Street would also be extended through the 19th Street & Route 33 Intersection project including a shared-use path on one side of the roadway and a sidewalk on the opposite side of the roadway in order to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, and mobility aid users. The intersection connects Kearney’s elementary school, middle school, and high school as well as regional shared-use paths.
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Project Description: |
The City of Kearney is a rapidly growing community with a single highway interchange at I-35 and Route 92. To reduce congestion and vehicular delay associated with the existing interchange, the City and MoDOT are in the process of implementing a new Diverging Diamond Interchange approximately one mile to the south at I-35 and 19th Street. Regional connectivity of 19th Street is limited as the corridor does not currently extend across I-35. Therefore, to connect to the new interchange, 19th Street (approximately 0.4 miles to the east and 0.3 miles to the west of the interchange) will be improved to a three-lane urban roadway to increase capacity for motorists and freight. Improvements will also include bicycle lanes, a shared-use path on the south side of the roadway, and a sidewalk on the north side of the roadway in order to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, and mobility aid users. Construction of this interchange project is anticipated to begin in Fall 2021.
The interchange project does not include improvements to the 19th Street and Route 33 intersection that is located approximately 1.0 miles east of the new interchange. The existing intersection is a four-leg, signalized intersection of two urban roadways. In addition to one through lane in each direction, each leg of the intersection has a dedicated left-turn lane (storage length varies) approaching the traffic signal. As increased traffic is anticipated due to the new interchange, the proposed 19th Street & Route 33 Intersection project adds new dedicated right-turn lanes to three intersection approaches and maximizes the storage length of existing dedicated left-turn lanes. Due to shift in travel lanes, a shared-use path and sidewalk at the intersection is relocated. A new shared-use path will also be added on the west side of Route 33 for approximately 0.25 miles from 19th Street to Greenfield Drive. An at-grade rail crossing on 19th Street approximately 0.3 miles west of Route 33 will be upgraded and coordinated with the traffic signal at the intersection. The 19th Street & Route 33 Intersection project is a key component of the greater transportation improvements needed to serve the new I-35 interchange.
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Scope: |
The 19th Street & Route 33 Intersection project limits extend approximately 0.1 miles on each leg of the intersection in order to align with each roadway segment. The project adds new 200-foot dedicated right-turn lanes to the southbound, eastbound, and westbound approaches of the intersection to increase safety and capacity for motorists and freight. Storage length of the existing dedicated left-turn lanes will also be maximized on the northbound and westbound approaches. As permitted by right-of-way availability, medians will separate opposing traffic lanes at the intersection approaches. Due to a shift in travel lanes, the existing shared-use path and sidewalk at the intersection will be relocated. In particular, the shared-use path on 19th Street shifts from the south side of the roadway to the north side of the roadway at the intersection. Therefore, enhanced crosswalk treatments will be considered, and trail users will be encouraged to cross on the south and east crosswalks. A new shared-use path will be added on the west side of Route 33 for approximately 0.25 miles from 19th Street to Greenfield Drive. A crossing will be added at Route 33 and Greenfield Drive. An at-grade rail crossing on 19th Street approximately 0.3 miles west of Route 33 will be upgraded from crossbucks to flashing lights, bells, and gates to improve safety for the anticipated increase in users. The new gate equipment will be coordinated with the traffic signal at the 19th Street & Route 33 intersection. Other significant scope items include right-of-way acquisition due to the additional turn lanes, lighting, and landscaping.
Several safety countermeasures are incorporated into the project, such as:
a) Dedicated right-turn lanes to reduce the potential for rear-end crashes;
b) Extended left-turn lane storage to reduce the potential for rear-end and sideswipe crashes;
c) Intersection approach leg medians to reduce the potential for head-on crashes;
d) Shared-use path and sidewalk to provide a dedicated facility for off-street bicyclists and pedestrians;
e) Shared-use path and sidewalk buffer to increase separation from vehicle traffic;
f) Enhanced crosswalks and pedestrian signals/push buttons to enable safe crossings;
g) Upgraded rail crossing warning devices to reduce crashes; and
g) Lighting increases visibility and comfort for all users.
Expected outcomes of the 19th Street & Route 33 Intersection project include enhanced intersection safety, increased capacity to serve the new I-35 interchange, and increased economic development associated with benefits realized by improved interstate connectivity.
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