Shades of South Metro Connection again? On May 20th, KDOT (Kansas Department of Transportation) had a public meeting at Stilwell Elementary to discuss transportation challenges that they are seeing for the future. Their goal was to have a public meeting to discuss the concerns of the road system and get input on the future infrastructure that will be needed for a 5 county area which circles Kansas City.
Approximately 50-75 people showed up to hear the proposals of KDOT. Many Stilwell real estate owners came ready to fight or discourage any changes. The reason is that the local residents thought it was to just build a 4-6 lane highway on the south side of Kansas City in the Stilwell community. Those Stilwell residents had fought long and hard to keep 2 major projects of the 21st Century Parkway project and the South Metro Connection project from ever getting started. It turned out to be that this meeting with KDOT was to discuss the needs and long range planning of the road systems. Currently the 10 year transportation funding ends in 2009. KDOT didn’t acknowledge if the Kansas state legislative will provide another major funding for future infrastructure improvements. KDOT was requesting some public input on current conditions and what challenges are out there that need to have some attention or improvement. KDOT goad is to have some long range plans developed to prioritize the needs and match them with future funding as it comes available.
For more information, watch for future posts and visit the 5 county study information.
