Preparing I-470 for the Future
Growth in Lee’s Summit prompted a new Strother Road Interchange to improve access between Woods Chapel Road and Colbern Road and allow greater opportunities for commercial and business development along the corridor.
Crews recently completed the new bridges on north and southbound lanes of I-470. Approximately 125,000 cubic yards of dirt and rock was excavated to construct the two bridges, allowing Strother Road to be built beneath the interstate. Currently, the two east ramps for the Strother Road interchange and the auxiliary lane for northbound I-470 from the Route 291 on ramp to the Strother Road off ramp are under construction. Traffic has been shifted back to the mainline of I-470 and the temporary bypass has been removed.
The intersection at Independence Avenue and Ralph Powell has been closed to tie the side streets into the new interchange through December. Traffic will be detoured around the closure.
After enhancing this intersection, Strother Road and the ramps will be paved. Traffic signals, lighting, signing and guardrails will be installed. The entire project is expected to be complete by Fall 2010.
This project joins another major undertaking in the same corridor along I-470 at Route 50.
Funding
In addition to $3 million previously earmarked, the City of Lee's Summit offered an additional $5 million for the auxiliary lanes. A Transportation Development District (TDD) , including developers within the vicinity of the project, a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan, and Lee's Summit funding sources, will contribute to roadway infrastructure improvements, including the interchange. The project is expected to be complete by 2010.
Comments
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