Mar. 2, 2019
The City of Lee’s Summit recently received recognition from the American Council of Engineering Companies for engineering excellence for a trio of innovative projects that have transformed the City’s infrastructure. The City received three Honor Awards at the 2019 Engineering Excellence Awards for improvements made to the Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport, the interchange at U.S. 50 and Route 291, and the interchange at U.S. 50 and Blackwell Road.
The City collaborated with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly to help position the Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport as a new gateway to the Kansas City metro. The project included an expansion of the main runway from 4,016 feet to 5,501 feet. The main runway was also widened to 100 feet. These enhancements allow heavier corporate aircraft to take off and land at the airport.
The interchange at U.S. 50 and Route 291 presented a unique challenge, which required a fresh approach. The result was one of the first divergabouts in Missouri. The interchange reconstruction project was a joint effort between the City, GBA and the Missouri Department of Transportation and was funded in part through the Mid-America Regional Council Surface Transportation Program. The divergabout concept includes a diverging diamond interchange at one ramp terminal and a roundabout at the other ramp terminal. The project was designed to increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, while reducing congestion and improving connectivity in the area.
Similar to the interchange at U.S. 50 and Route 291, the new interchange at U.S. 50 and Blackwell Road required an innovative strategy. The interchange was designed to expand access for all residents, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and to encourage surrounding economic activity while also addressing significant safety and operational issues at nearby U.S. 50 intersections. The project incorporated a series of roundabouts and extended the highway outer road system. A partnership between the City of Lee’s Summit, TranSystems and the Missouri Department of Transportation made the interchange project a reality using a creative financing cost share between state funds and a City-initiated TIF.
These projects highlight the City of Lee’s Summit’s commitment to excellence and ability to find unique solutions to complex problems. These infrastructure investments ensure the City is well positioned for continued growth in the future.
