City engineers say the 13th Street connection to I-235 could remove nearly half of the traffic near Zoo Blvd. and I-235 during rush hour.
Wednesday, citizens from around the area got to check out the plan and voice their opinion.

Nearly 100 people packed the Sedgwick County Extension Office to hear the city's new plan aimed at easing traffic gridlock near I-235 and Zoo Blvd.

"We think it would take one out of every three cars off of Zoo boulevard during rush hour," said Jim Armour, the engineer for the city.

The plan would add an access ramp off I-235 and build a bridge over the Big Ditch to the west to connect 13th Street. It's a plan engineers looked at years ago, but the Federal Highway Administration rejected it back then.
With traffic that has tripled in the area since 1995, the city is now pushing to find a solution.

"The question is why not build a connection over the bridge to the points that carry the most traffic," said Armour.

Some at the meeting felt the move would help the community.

"I think it is going to make a major impact. I think it will reduce the traffic flow that we currently see along Zoo in that area," said Bob Aldrich, who is for the project.

Others said the areas along 21st Street, 25th Street and 29th Street need attention first.

"If you drive in traffic on 21st street and Zoo boulevard, in the morning or evening, it's a no brainer, we need a bridge on 21st street," said Patrick Quaney, who's against the project.

Others said they liked the idea, but wanted a little more information.

"I wanted to know why we chose to go Northbound to west and southbound to west and vice versa," said John Mavec, who's travels the area.

While the project could still be nearly 5 years from completion, citizens who travel the area say they'll take any relief they can get, as long as it's the best option.

"We, as citizens, need to know we've explored all options and know where the money is coming from," said Mavec.

The plan must still go through the District Advisory Boards, Federal Highway Administration and the City Council. Estimated costs come in around $35 million.