Transportation Infrastructure

Air: Local, Regional, and International Airports

Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC)

Located between the cities of Olathe and Overland Park, KS, the Johnson County Executive Airport is in the heart of Johnson County’s economic belt and is used by many corporate, business, and general aviation users. The airport is located on approximately 500 acres with a 4,097′ single runway, parallel taxiways, Federal contract air traffic control tower, and medium intensity airfield lighting. Localizer/DME approaches are available from the north and the south.

New Century AirCenter (IXD)

Located at 175th Street and Interstate 35, Exit 210. The New Century AirCenter (IXD) is made up of 2,700 easily accessible acres in the southwest Kansas City metropolitan area, New Century is a true multimodal center – where air, rail, and interstate highway come together. With over 60,000 annual operations and approximately 120 based aircraft, New Century AirCenter is traditionally the third busiest towered airport in Kansas. The New Century AirCenter’s main 7,339′ runway is the second longest runway in the region. Also available is a 5,132′ crosswind runway, FAA contract air traffic control tower, Category I instrument landing system, and fire station.

Gardner Municipal Airport

Gardner Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the city of Gardner. It is a public airport located one mile west of the central business district of Gardner. The airport maintains a variety of support services for aircraft, primarily for single-engine, piston aircraft. Those services include aircraft parking and tie-downs, hangars, aircraft maintenance, 24-hour self-service fuel, and glider towing.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

Kansas City International Airport is 45 miles from Southwest Johnson County and serves the two-state Kansas City region. Opening in 1972, its low congestion and small number of flight delays have long established it as one of the most appealing commercial airports in the world. The KCI complex spans more than 10,000 acres, and its three runways can accommodate up to 139 aircraft operations per hour. Three runways, two of them parallel with 6,575 feet of separation, Category III instrument Landing System and other features help keep operations smooth in even the worst of weather. New surfaces on the runways, taxiways, and terminal aprons, along with ongoing infrastructure improvements, enhance the airport’s efficiency and convenience to air carriers.

Additional Air Access with close Proximity:

Major International Airports:

  • Des Moines International Airport (Des Moines, IA)

Regional Airports:

  • Topeka Regional Airport (Topeka, KS)
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (Wichita, KS)
  • Springfield-Branson National Airport (Springfield, MO)

Municipal and General Aviation Airports:

  • Phillip Billard Airport (Topeka, KS)

Interstate and Highway Access:

Interstate 35 connects Southwest Johnson County to Kansas City, a short distance to the north, and Wichita, Kansas, 2 hours southwest. North/south Highways 69 and 169 intersect with I-35 south of Olathe, Kansas.

Interstate 70 connects the Johnson County region to Topeka and Kansas City. It intersects with Interstate 35, providing east-west access across the Midwest.

I-435 connects Interstates 35 and 70 in the Kansas City area. This interstate allows for an easy transition between north/south and east/west travel, providing access to markets surrounding the Johnson County area.

Interstate 49 connects the Johnson County area south to Northwest Arkansas.

Interstate 35 connects Southwest Johnson County to Kansas City, a short distance to the north, and Wichita, Kansas, 2 hours southwest. North/south Highways 69 and 169 intersect with I-35 south of Olathe, Kansas.
Interstate 70 connects the Johnson County region to Topeka and Kansas City. It intersects with Interstate 35, providing east-west access across the Midwest.
I-435 connects Interstates 35 and 70 in the Kansas City area. This interstate allows for an easy transition between north/south and east/west travel, providing access to markets surrounding the Johnson County area.
Interstate 49 connects the Johnson County area south to Northwest Arkansas.

Proximity to Major Markets:

1-hour access to:

  • Kansas City MSA (30 miles)
  • Topeka, Kansas (54 miles)

3-hour access to:

  • Wichita, Kansas (166 miles)
  • Springfield, Missouri (180 miles)
  • Columbia, Missouri (154 miles)
  • Des Moines, Iowa (220 miles)

Rail Access

Johnson County Airport Commission

The Johnson County Airport Commission operates the JCAX, a Short-Line, Class III railroad as a service to New Century Commerce Center tenants. The JCAX rail system is comprised of more than six miles of track that runs throughout the New Century Commerce Center. There is ample long-term and short-term storage space along the rail. Additionally, there is a commercial scale available to New Century Commerce Center tenants. The JCAX operates two locomotives for daily operations and moves between 750 to 1000 cars annually. JCAX is regulated by the Federal Rail Administration, that works with BNSF to completes last mile deliveries and pickups.

BNSF Railway

The BNSF Railway system serves Southwest Johnson County with intermodal, automotive, and agricultural connections across the country. The BNSF Intermodal Line connects Southwest Johnson County directly to:

  • Chicago
  • Atlanta
  • Dallas/Fort Worth
  • Denver
  • Albuquerque
  • The West Coast

Port Access

Port KC

In 2015, Port KC welcomed the first barge back to Kansas City since 2007, and has since become the fastest growing port in the Midwest. Port KC services the entire Kansas City, Missouri region, spurring significant economic growth.