Summary of US-69 Improvements Phase 1: 103rd to 151st Street, in addition to 167th St interchange

KDOT

Added or Amended by Amendment 6

Amended Project

US-69 Phase I: Mainline improvements from 103rd to 151st Street. Also includes interchange at US-69 & 167th and expansion of 167th to 4-lane arterial from Metcalf to Antioch

Submitted comments

Tracey Osborne Oltjen said...

Over and over we hear from developers, business leaders and residents that mobility and the quality of our transportation system are why they choose Overland Park. And the backbone of that regional transportation system is the 17- mile stretch of US69. More than 225,000 residents live within the 5-mile trade area of US69 and 135th St. Residents rely on it as their primary connection to education, shopping, and above all, jobs. Our ability to move people and goods at low cost and within reasonable commute time is a major reason that more than 10,000 businesses operate within this corridor’s trade area, allowing our region to be competitive regionally and nationally. Among the primary employment centers are the world headquarters of Sprint and Black & Veatch, major retailers like Oak Park Mall, Prairiefire, Corbin Park and the developing BluHawk, healthcare centers St. Luke’s South, Shawnee Mission Health and Overland Park Regional Medical Center, educational institutions from Johnson County Community College and the University of Kansas Edwards Campus to numerous schools in the Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley and Olathe School Districts and major office parks such as Corporate Woods, Southcreek, and the developing CityPlace. Over 95,000 workers commute to Overland Park from another city, expanding our daytime population to 226,132. Employers support the expansion of US69 as crucial to their success. Our businesses tell us their top priority is talent attraction and retention. Additional written testimony from Overland Park businesses has been submitted to demonstrate the need for additional lanes to respond to residential and commercial development throughout the corridor, thus reducing congestion and accidents, increasing capacity and ultimately, attracting and retaining workforce. The Census Bureau and Department of Labor indicate that within the US69 corridor alone, Overland Park represents more than 13 percent of the state’s businesses and 11 percent of the state’s employment base. Overland Park has been blessed with an enviable growth record, one that generates significant economic activity and tax revenue for Kansas. US69 is a critical component in building and sustaining this growth as our companies need to reach customers and talent throughout the greater metropolitan area. Access through transportation infrastructure is why Overland Park has consistently had one of the highest population growth rates in the metropolitan region and Kansas. It’s why our population is expected to grow by one third by 2040, primarily in the southern part of the city served by US69, and our employment base is anticipated to grow by more than 51,000 jobs. Johnson County is expected to top 1 million residents by 2054, underscoring the need to move people through this region efficiently. Therefore, we focus our efforts on improvements to US69, Overland Park’s number one transportation priority. It’s critical not only to our economic prosperity, but to that of the state of Kansas.

6/18/2019 4:54:10 PM

Dana Markel said...

The Visit Overland Park Board of Directors strongly supports the expansion of US-69, recognizing the significant value that investment in transportation has for our tourism industry. The ability to travel freely and efficiently is a vital component to a positive visitor experience. US-69 serves as our City’s backbone, connecting Downtown Overland Park to other tourist attractions, such as the Arboretum, Deanna Rose Farmstead, Scheel’s Soccer Complex, and the Museum at Prairiefire. Solving the traffic congestion problems on this highway by investing in lane expansion would boost Overland Park’s accessibility and economic growth. Tourism prospers in areas with reliable systems of transportation and leads to increased visitor dollars being spent on our local hotels, restaurants, and entertainment establishments. This project is essential to further economic development in Overland Park and will keep the city a competitive tourist destination. Visit Overland Park appreciates your consideration of this issue and encourages you to support the rapid expansion of US-69.

6/19/2019 8:46:58 AM

Brett Bogan said...

Myself and my law firm, Spencer Fane, strongly support the expansion and other improvements to US-69. This roadway is critical to the continued development of the business community throughout Johnson County. As the area grows and adds jobs to to the community, proper investment in infrastructure like this project could not be more important. Brett

6/19/2019 9:53:36 AM

Rick Worrel said...

Overland Parks population ranks in the top 120 cities in the United States. The citys population continues to grow by more than 1,000 residents annually. Our highway systems see more traffic coming into and out of the city for work and business than the actual population that lives here. As an economic growth center for the State of Kansas, Overland Parks and Johnson Countys highway system must efficiently move people, goods, and materials throughout the region. The fundamental component of our quality of life has been our safe, efficient highway and road systems. However, with population growth in southern Overland Park and increased commuter traffic, safety and efficiency are deteriorating resulting in longer commute times. For that reason, it is essential that the US-69 expansion from 1-435 south to 179th Street is a top state highway improvement priority. Specific to my company, Affinis Corp, one-third of our staff travels US-69 daily during morning and evening peak hours. The delays are frustrating and eat into production time. Many look for alternate routes to avoid US-69 only to find the local streets exceeding capacity because other drivers are doing the same thing. Lost production time is difficult to quantify, but is a challenge for my company and other local businesses. Improving safety and traffic flow on US-69 will directly and positively impact the growth and job creation in Overland Park and Johnson County as well as the Kansas City metropolitan area. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment.

6/19/2019 11:14:19 AM

Doug Lynn said...

Overland Park is currently the world headquarters for Sprint, the Kansas City metropolitan area’s sixth largest employer with 6,000 employees. With or without the proposed merger with T-Mobile, Sprint will continue to have a strong presence in Overland Park. We also have plans for a multi-million dollar renovation project for our Overland Park campus. The high quality of life offered in Overland Park is of paramount importance to Sprint’s presence and job growth; greatly facilitating our ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees. A key component of that quality of life is convenient, efficient and safe transportation via US-69 highway, the major north-south highway spanning 17 miles through Overland Park and the rest of Johnson County. Many of Sprint’s employees depend on US-69 for their daily commute to and from work as well as access to the many other services and amenities that are also a part of our quality of life. For these reasons, Sprint strongly supports the investment needed for the expansion to three lanes and other improvements to US-69, recognizing the significant value that this transportation investment has on our city and the entire region.

6/19/2019 11:35:55 AM

Mike Slagle said...

The Blue Valley School District strongly supports the expansion of US-69. US-69 is critically important to the Blue Valley School District in that is the major north-south transportation connection in the school district. No other route moves as much traffic throughout our district as does US-69, and this includes parent, staff and student traffic. Most of our new residential growth is occurring along the 159th Street corridor and places south. A strong north-south connector is important for housing in this area to continue to be attractive to home buyers. Because our state funding is tied to enrollment growth, we see the need for a strong US-69 to be more than a residential concern. It is a school funding concern as well. As our new residential development has expanded south of 159th Street, a strong north-south connector is important for our residents to transport themselves to job locations throughout Overland Park and the Kansas City metro area. A strong US-69 is critical to expanding economic activity. The Blue Valley School District is seen as a destination district for many new residents to the Kansas City metro area every year. A strong north-south connector allows these residents to move about the district and area more efficiently and cost-effectively.

6/19/2019 2:34:12 PM

Marty L. OConnor said...

A well maintained and efficient US-69 is crucial to Key Bank and the overall business community in Overland Park. As Johnson County and Overland Park continue to grow and act as the economic and jobs engine for the state, it is necessary to invest in infrastructure and transportation networks to accommodate that growth. My companys continues success requires an efficient and effective transportation connector like US-69, and for these reasons, we support the proposed plan to expand the highway to three lanes in Johnson County.

6/20/2019 10:07:32 AM

Faruk Capan said...

US-69 is the primary north-south means of transportation through Overland Park. Spanning 17 miles in Johnson County from 87th Street at the north end through 218th Street at the south end, it is the most efficient route for many of our employees to use in commuting to and from work. And, by saving them time, they are often able to attend to personal and family matters during the day without unduly interfering with their job demands. US-69 is also a primary means of access for our clients who come to us from all over the area. Unfortunately, the increasing traffic and congestion on US-69 is becoming a real source of frustration for those same people who want to use it. Not only does the stop-and-go traffic mean lengthened commute times and delays in reaching their destination - their job for our employees and our business for clients - but also presents safety concerns as wrecks are occurring with growing frequency. This means that our business location in Overland Park becomes less attractive to employees and clients. A well-maintained and efficient US-69 is crucial to Intouch Group and the overall business community in Overland Park. As Johnson County and Overland Park continue to grow and act as the economic and jobs engine for the state, it is necessary to invest in infrastructure and transportation networks to accommodate that growth. My companys success would not be possible without a transportation connector like US-69, and this is why we support the proposed plan to expand the highway to three lanes in Johnson County.

6/28/2019 11:25:13 AM