Study History & Links
Cass and Johnson counties have long identified the desire for better connections and safety on roadways between Kansas and Missouri. This has been supported supported by a number of prior transportation studies.
21st Century Corridor Study
The 21st Century Corridor Study was completed in 1995. It included proposals for a controlled-access highway through southern and western Johnson County connecting K-10 in Johnson County, Kan., with U.S. 71 in Cass County, Mo., with a major highway. The project was not approved, and in 1997 Johnson County completed its “Transportation Options for Southern and Western Johnson County,” initiated in 1995 as part of a decision to stop further consideration of the proposed major highway facility as the main infrastructure for the 21st Century Corridor.
1997 Perimeter Needs Assessment
MARC’s 1997 Perimeter Transportation Needs Assessment examined transportation demand in the perimeter of the region and recommended a range of investments, including improvements to many arterial corridors. One of those corridors was an better connection between southern Johnson County and northern Cass County.
County Arterial Road Network Plan (CARNP)
In 1999, the Johnson County Commission approved the Comprehensive Arterial Road Network Plan (CARNP) and incorporated it into the Johnson County Comprehensive Plan. The CARNP designated an area for future study for a connection with Cass County and to provide for transportation in the southeast area of the county.
Comprehensive Arterial Road Network Plan
M-58 Relocation Study/North Cass Parkway
In 2002, Cass County completed an environmental assessment for North Cass Parkway, which ends west of the South Metro Connection Study area at Holmes Road. The North Cass Parkway provides for a new east-west facility to the south of Belton and Raymore.
Other Resources