The City of Parkville is pleased to announce that the traffic study at Lewis Street has been completed. The study, conducted by Affinis Corp, outlined three concept plans to help improve safety and alleviate intersection congestion near the stop light south of Route 45. Lewis Street is one of the main access points into the Parkville Commons commercial district.
The City received a Transportation Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation for a traffic study at Lewis Street. 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 to travel eastbound on Route 45, causing congestion at the intersection. To prevent issues from occurring in the interim, a “No U-Turn” sign was installed at the median break.
The Board of Aldermen approved an agreement with Affinis Corp on February 7, 2017, to conduct the traffic study using the TEAP grant funds. In the study, the consultant outlined three concept plans, all of which will require the closing of the median break on Lewis Street.
At the regular meeting on March 21, 2017, the Board of Aldermen directed City staff to move forward with the second concept that would close the median break south of the stop light and shift the west entrance/exit of Walgreens to the south, leaving plenty of room for vehicles using the northbound left turn lane to enter onto Route 45. The intersection would be safe and provide access to the local businesses. The estimated cost of the improvements is $87,152.50. City staff will budget for construction of the improvements in the 2018 budget.
Mayor Nan Johnston said, “The proposed improvements will help alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection and improve vehicle and pedestrian safety. It is the City’s goal to provide citizens with safe access to all areas of the city.”
The complete study is available on the City’s website at https://parkvillemo.gov/download/LewisStreet Study.pdf. For more information, please contact Public Works Director Alysen Abel at (816) 741-7676.
