OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Overland Park city officials will meet with state lawmakers Thursday, asking for help expanding U.S. 69 to six lanes.
According to the city, U.S. 69 from 435 to 169th street is exceeding its capacity.
City officials say the road carries more traffic than any other four-lane highway in Kansas. And congestion is increasing, which is contributing to crash rates above the normal average.
“This infrastructure was built for a certain lifespan and it's to that,” said city engineer Burt Morey. “It’s also exceeded the capacity that anyone thought.”
If nothing is done, Morey warns traffic times will increase by 20 to 40 minutes by 2040.
The goal is to add a lane in each direction from College Boulevard to 151st Street and make improvements to the interchange at 135th Street and Bluevalley Parkway split.
