Steese Expressway / Johansen Expressway Interchange

Proposed Action

The Diverging Diamond Interchange with Farmers Loop Connection, with modifications following the Draft Environmental Assessment public comment period, is the proposed project to be constructed. The Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) remains the most efficient alternative for managing traffic while minimizing project impacts on private property. The DDI significantly reduces delay for motorists at the Steese-Jo intersection while improving pedestrian and bicycle safety through the intersection due to reduced crossing distances and signalization of major crossing movements.

Farmers Loop Connection will provide a bypass route between Northside Boulevard and Farmers Loop Road during construction of the interchange, allowing us to complete the intersection changes quicker and safer. Following completion of the interchange the road connection between existing Farmers Loop Extension and Northside Boulevard will be removed. The multi-use pathway will remain as a permanent feature connecting the separated path on the Johansen Expressway to the separated path on Farmers Loop Road.

The Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact are available here.

Description of Proposed Action

The Diverging Diamond Interchange with Farmers Loop Connection was selected for construction because it will:

• Significantly decrease delay at the existing Steese-Jo intersection,
• Provide an enhanced bicycle/pedestrian connection between the existing separated pathways on the Johansen Expressway and Farmers Loop Road.
• Provide a bypass route during construction to manage traffic.

Diverging Diamond Interchange aerial view.

A summary of the alternatives analysis and reasons for selecting the Diverging Diamond Interchange with Farmers Loop Connection is available here.

Maps depicting various aspects of the proposed improvements are available below:

• Project Overview Map
• Full Project Layout
• Intersection Close-Up and Traffic Flow
• Proposed Right-of-Way Impacts for the Diverging Diamond Interchange
• Proposed Right-of-Way Impacts for the Farmers Loop Extension

While the diverging diamond design is relatively new, and appears confusing on paper, to the driver it will work like a regular diamond interchange (such as Geist Road/Parks Highway). The enhanced layout and signal coordination provided by the diverging diamond means it will operate better than the Geist Road/Parks Highway interchange, and with fewer lanes and a smaller project footprint.

DOT&PF staff completed significant evaluation and analysis between the 2018 open house and the selection of the preferred alternative to ensure public and stakeholder concerns were fully analyzed and addressed. A full summary of analyses performed based on comments and concerns the team heard from the public and agency stakeholders can be found here.

Additional visualizations of the proposed action are available on Vimeo:

• Steese/Johansen Interchange Simulation: Northbound Steese to Westbound Johansen
• Steese/Johansen Interchange Simulation: Eastbound Johansen to Northbound Steese
• Proposed Farmers Loop Connection