News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2006

CONTACT:  Mell Henderson, MARC Director of Transportation, 816/474-4240; Chris Rops, HNTB Transportation Director, HNTB Project Manager, 913/491-9333; or Jody Ladd Craig, MARC Public Affairs Director, 816/701-8241, jcraig@marc.org

 

South Metro Connection Study begins

 

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is launching a study to evaluate future transportation improvements in southern Johnson County, Kansas, and northern Cass County, Missouri. The South Metro Connection Study will analyze whether additional east-west connections are needed between the two counties, and if so, what type would be appropriate.

 

“Southern Johnson County and northern Cass County are transitioning from rural uses to more suburban uses and character,” said Mell Henderson, director of transportation for MARC. “The community and its leaders have choices about the nature and character of the places being created and evolving.”

 

As the southern portion of the Kansas City metro area continues to grow, the economic connection between Johnson and Cass counties continue to evolve, which is reflected in commuting patterns.

 

“In 2000, more than 7,000 workers commuted between the two counties each day, even without a direct major transportation connection between them,” said Henderson. “In response to the ongoing development, the time is appropriate to evaluate whether and what type of improvements may be needed, including an east-west connection to serve the growth in this part of the region.

 

The South Metro Connection Study will assist citizens, stakeholders, and elected officials in evaluating choices and examining transportation options that could be coordinated with these choices. These groups will play a key role in helping shape the vision for balancing transportation, land use, quality of life, and growth dynamics in the south metro area.

 

The study boundaries are generally identified as 175th Street on the north, 199th on the south, Holmes Road on the east and U.S. 69 on the west. The corridor being examined is about four miles in Kansas and one mile in Missouri.

 

The study, which will take 12–16 months to complete, will identify transportation needs in the study area based on current and forecasted future land use and travel supply/demand. The objectives of the study are to:

·                     Examine land use and environmental considerations

·                     Establish a purpose and need for the corridor — determine if there is a need for transportation improvements in the corridor, and, if so, what purposes they would serve

·                     Identify potential future transportation investments, and where they would be located

·                     Refine a recommended alternative

·                     Complete the Environmental Assessment for the corridor, and

·                     Complete a brief macro-level review of what the recommended alternative would mean for areas west of U.S. 69 and east of Holmes Road.

 

MARC has retained HNTB, of Overland Park, Kansas, to address these concerns through a comprehensive traffic, land-use and communications plan. Early public involvement activities include: the formation of a Partnership Advisory Committee, a newsletter and questionnaire, public officials briefings, and a purpose and need workshop. A dedicated project hotline, mailing address and e-mail address and Web site have been established.

 

The South Metro Connection Study represents a planning effort only. At this time, funding for any improvements is not available. The study is intended to identify desired improvements and help preserve any necessary land to protect future options.

 

For more information on the study, call 913/312-4911; email southmetro@hntb.com ; or mail comments and questions to South Metro Connection Study, HNTB, 7430 130th Street, Suite 400, Overland Park, KS 66212. The study Web site address is:  www.marc.org/transportation/smc/.

 

The South Metro Connection Study is a cooperative effort lead by MARC, Johnson County, Kan., Cass County, Mo., the cities of Overland Park, Kan., Olathe, Kan., and Belton, Mo., the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration.

 

 

###