Why not build the entire 4-lane roadway immediately?
The project was originally conceived as a four lane divided roadway. However, the project concept has changed in response to rising construction costs and budget constraints. In the past traffic was discouraged from traveling on SW 40th Street due to time consuming delays at the BNSF railroad crossing. The traffic study for the project predicts that 4,500 vehicles per day would travel SW 40th Street if delays at the railroad crossing were eliminated (model prediction based on 2002 conditions). The project team determined that a 2-lane roadway provides an economical alternative that serves the immediate needs, and provides capacity for the forecasted traffic for the next 10 years. The roadway and bridges are designed so that the addition of 2-lanes in the future can be built with a minimal amount of reconstruction and cost.
