The City of Parkville is pleased to announce that it received a Transportation Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for a traffic study at Lewis Street, south of the stop light at Route 45. The Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance with MoDOT on December 6 authorizing an engineering services agreement for the traffic study.
Since the widening of Route 45 was completed, traffic patterns changed for vehicles accessing Graden Elementary. Because a U-turn is not allowed on Route 45 at the stop light, many vehicles use the median break to U-turn and turn east onto Route 45, causing congestion at the intersection. To prevent issues from occurring, the Board of Aldermen approved the installation of a “No U-Turn” sign at the median break until the study is completed.
The TEAP grant will allow the City to compile data, conduct a traffic analysis and design conceptual drawings. From the study, the City will be provided three options for reconstruction.
The area was submitted for TEAP grant consideration in 2015 with the assistance of Affinis Corporation, but funds were not approved. The City resubmitted the grant application in 2016 and on October 31 was notified that it received the grant and could proceed with the study.
The purpose of the study is to determine the best course of action to improve the safety and alleviate intersection congestion near the stop light. The goal is to develop three concept drawings and associated cost estimates showing various countermeasures to address the traffic issues.
Public Works Director Alysen Abel said “This area was identified specifically because of the potential for crashes and congestion. Improved safety at this intersection would be of great value to Highway 45 and Lewis Street motorists, as well as adjacent businesses. It is the City’s goal to provide each business with safe and efficient access points to their business.”
MoDOT requires that the City use one of the consultants on its approved consultant list. The City currently has three on-call traffic engineering consultants that are all on the approved list. Staff will recommend that Affinis Corporation begin the study once the Notice to Proceed has been issued by MoDOT.
For more information, please contact Public Works Director Alysen Abel at (816) 741-7676.
