MoDOT launched the $54.6 million project in 2006 to improve traffic safety and operations along the major east-west corridor, which provides access for Grandview, Kansas City, and Lee's Summit to the US-71 and M-291 highway corridors.
GBA’s Project Manager, Tawn Nugent, P.E., explains that the improvements involve widening what was mostly two-lane rural highway to a four-lane, median-divided urban highway with curbs and underground storm drainage. The project was phased to expedite construction, with the final phase accelerated to qualify for ARRA funding.
The interchange and first phase of the highway improvements are scheduled for completion in November of this year. The final two phases of the project will be completed in 2011.
This very complex project involved three municipalities, four separate TIF districts, and approximately 60 parcels, making communications key to its success. Tawn says that 3-D design was critical in communicating project impacts to stakeholders and coordinating within the project team.
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