Driving through Lenexa, you’ve probably noticed a lot of orange cones and road construction signs recently. Here’s a rundown on what major construction projects are happening now, and what improvements you can look forward to in the future!

Happening now (or soon) on city streets

Ridgeview Road construction between K-10 and Prairie Star Parkway is on schedule to be completed in November 2019. Expect minor traffic impacts later this summer and early fall at the intersection of Prairie Star Parkway and Ridgeview Road as a new traffic signal is installed. In addition to the roadway project, adjacent property owners have begun grading operations in preparation for future development.

Work will begin on storm sewer improvements near the Lakeview neighborhood in the vicinity of 87th Street Parkway to 93rd Street and Pflumm Road to Acuff Lane in the coming weeks. The project includes replacing and lining deteriorated corrugated metal pipe, and improving street lighting and drainage issues.

The City continues to work with BNSF Railway to install wayside horns at the two crossings in Old Town. The project will require railroad infrastructure modifications performed by BNSF, as well as improvements at Pflumm Road and Noland Road constructed by the City of Lenexa. 

Plans have been approved by BNSF, and the agreement between the parties will soon go to the City Council. Installation of the wayside horns is pending BNSF’s scheduling of the railroad upgrades.

Work is underway on storm sewer improvements in the Cedars neighborhood generally from 87th Street Parkway to 83rd Street between Lackman Road and Mill Creek. Work includes replacing and lining deteriorated corrugated metal pipe and improving drainage issues in the area. The project should be done by winter.

Design underway

Improvements to the Quivira Road corridor between 75th Street and 87th Street Parkway are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020. Recommendations from the Quivira Road Corridor Study will be incorporated into the project, which will include pedestrian improvements, pavement resurfacing, storm drainage improvements, new LED street lighting, traffic signal improvements and construction of new turn lanes. 

Design work is underway for intersection improvements and a new traffic signal at the entrance to Shawnee Mission Park at 79th Street and Renner Boulevard. Plans will be completed by the end of the year, and construction is expected to begin in the spring.

Capacity improvements to the 95th Street and Santa Fe Trail Drive intersection are scheduled to begin next spring and will include new turn lanes and traffic signals. The improvements will extend northeast along Santa Fe Trail Drive to Pflumm Road in Old Town and include new curb and gutter, storm sewers, street lighting, bike lanes and a multi-use trail.

The traffic volumes at the ramp terminal intersections at K-7 and Prairie Star Parkway indicate that it is time to install traffic signals at these intersections to better manage demand. Design is scheduled to begin this fall. We anticipate that the signals will be installed during the summer of 2020 and be operational by fall of 2020.

Improvements to the 87th Street Parkway and I-435 Interchange were originally identified in a study completed in 2002. Recent development surrounding the interchange has increased traffic volumes to a level where additional traffic capacity is now needed. The improvements will include additional through lanes along 87th Street Parkway and additional left turn lanes onto I-435. This project is currently under design, and final design, utility relocations and property acquisitions will occur in 2020. Work is anticipated to start early in 2021 and last through most of 2022.

Related to the project — and currently under construction — is a westbound 87th Street Parkway right turn lane to northbound I-435. The turn lane is anticipated to be complete this year and will provide improved traffic flow in the westbound and northbound directions in the interim.

KDOT Highway Projects

The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed the southbound I-35 to southbound U.S. 69 ramp to replace the bridge deck, rehabilitate the bridge and reconstruct pavement on U.S. 69 from the southbound I-35 to southbound U.S. 69 exit through the southern approach slab of the bridge. Work is expected to be completed by December. There will also be intermittent road closures on I-35 in both directions in the vicinity of the bridge due to overhead work. 

KDOT will also perform repairs on the northbound and southbound bridges on K-7 over K-10. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions near the bridges through the duration of the project with accompanying ramp closures. The project is expected to be completed by mid-November.