Two key sections of Lone Elm Road in Olathe are primed for major upgrades.
The Olathe City Council voted 5-0 last month to approve spending more than $32 million on two separate projects along the thoroughfare.
The projects include adding turn lanes on Lone Elm between 119th and Harold Streets and expanding Lone Elm between 159th and 167th Streets from two lanes to four.
Councilmembers Kevin Gilmore and Matthew Schoonover were absent from the meeting on Jan. 21 when the vote was taken. The projects are part of the city’s five-year capital improvement plan.
“Both projects are being constructed to improve safety and reduce congestion along the corridor,” said Cody Kennedy, chief communications and marketing officer for Olathe.
Here’s a breakdown of the Lone Elm plans:
- From 159th to 167th, the existing two-lane section will become a divided four-lane road. Other improvements along that stretch will include pavement construction, curb and gutter, medians, streetlights, sidewalks, turn lanes and storm sewers. The project is estimated to cost $16,273,000.
- Then, from 119th to Harold, the existing two-lane stretch of road will become a divided two-lane stretch with turn lanes. Other improvements here include pavement construction, curb and gutter, medians, streetlights, sidewalk, bike lanes and storm sewers. That project is estimated to cost $15,860,000.
Project designs will start this year, Kennedy said. Construction is expected to begin early- to mid-2027.
“There will be impacts to traffic during construction; however, maintenance of traffic during construction will be determined during the design of the project,” Kennedy said.
Mayor John Bacon said improvements like this help the community as it grows. In just a 10-year period, from 2010 to 2020, Olathe’s population grew more than 12%, according to U.S. Census data.
“We’re excited about all the new investment going in around South Lone Elm,” Bacon said. “With that new development comes more traffic. This project allows us to stay ahead of the curve to ensure drivers, employees and residents in the area can get where they are going in a safe and timely manner.”
Other work on Lone Elm is on the horizon
At the same time, Olathe opposes potential changes the Kansas Department of Transportation is planning for Lone Elm Road on the city’s northern border with Lenexa.
The state wants to add an interchange that directly connects Lone Elm to Kansas Highway 10, where the two cities meet.
Late last year, the Olathe City Council signaled their desire to draft a letter to the state transportation department outlining the city’s specific concerns with the plans for the interchange as they currently stand.
One of the city’s primary concerns with that proposal was safety for students going to school nearby the proposed interchange and the potential for trucks to be routed through school zones.
Keep reading: Olathe raises concerns about KDOT’s plan to improve K-10 — Here’s city’s main worry
