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K‑96 expansion to be built in phases; city staff outline park, trail and right‑of‑way impacts
Summary
City staff briefed the Wichita Park Board on KDOT’s K‑96 expansion, which will likely be built in phases and will require right‑of‑way acquisitions affecting K‑96 Lake Park, Chisholm Creek parks and the K‑96 bike trail; staff will take a concurrence finding to City Council for environmental clearance.
City staff told the Wichita Park Board that the Kansas Department of Transportation’s planned K‑96 improvements will likely be constructed in phases and will affect multiple park properties and a recreational trail.
Paul Gunzelman, the city engineer presenting the update, said KDOT now anticipates a phased approach that would begin with the Woodlawn and Rock interchanges and later address sections between I‑135, Hillside and Webb. He told the board federal review by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) considered impacts to park properties under Section 4 of the Department of Transportation Act and characterized the expected park effects as unavoidable but to be addressed through avoidance, minimization, mitigation and enhancement measures.
Gunzelman summarized the expected park impacts as presented to the board: K‑96 Lake Park would see a small portion of land taken for new interchange ramps; Chisholm Creek Park North would lose an estimated 1.3 acres (of roughly 57 acres) largely affecting a gravel parking area; Chisholm Creek Park South would lose about 1.8 acres (of roughly 282 acres) and the K‑96 bike trail would require temporary closure and reconstruction, with an estimated 500 feet of trail affected east of the Webb area. Gunzelman emphasized that the figures were presented by KDOT and that negotiations for compensation and right‑of‑way acquisition would follow KDOT’s acquisition process.
The presentation noted the city is scheduled to seek concurrence with the FHWA finding at an upcoming City Council meeting (listed in the staff presentation as Tuesday, Jan. 21). Gunzelman said the city asked the council to defer prior action until KDOT provided updated information; the concurrence will help KDOT complete environmental clearance and begin right‑of‑way acquisition.
Board members and staff questioned how access to Chisholm Creek Park North would change. Tim Callums (park/construction staff) said northbound drivers would no longer be able to make a left turn into the park’s existing lot and that access would likely be limited to right‑in/right‑out movements; signage and alternate access would be coordinated with KDOT. Callums and Gunzelman said staff are also coordinating with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and design engineers to review trail rerouting and parking access, and they are preparing for potential traffic diversions onto parallel corridors while work proceeds.
Gunzelman said the project will include a city/county local match and might be multiyear; staff estimated roughly $100 million of project funding overall but said exact funding and phasing remain subject to KDOT scheduling and the availability of program dollars. City staff said KDOT will lead compensation negotiations for property impacts and that the city will continue to coordinate on mitigation and construction staging.
