Red Bridge Rd. Plans
By John Sharp
Area residents and other interested persons are invited to attend an open house anytime from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 26, at the Kansas City Autism Training Center, 10842 McGee, to learn more about proposed plans to widen and improve Red Bridge Rd. from Holmes Rd. to Wornall Rd. and to give their feedback.
Current design plans call for Red Bridge to be widened to four lanes from Holmes through its intersection with Wornall, with new curbs, gutters and storm sewers. The present median in front of the Red Bridge Shopping Center will be narrowed and continued west to Wornall.
The present sidewalk on the north side of Red Bridge from Holmes to McGee will be extended to Wornall. The present sidewalk on the south side of Red Bridge that runs from just east of Oak to Wornall will be replaced by a 10 foot wide trail from Holmes to Wornall to match a similar trail on Red Bridge east of Holmes.
The often congested intersection of Red Bridge & Wornall will be widened so there are two through lanes plus a left turn lane in every direction except there will only be one northbound combination through and left turn lane and one combination through and right turn lane in order to avoid the need for additional right of way. A new traffic signal also will be installed at the intersection.
The entire project is designed to fit into existing right of way, although construction easements will be needed. Much of the widening will take place on the south where there is more existing right of way for much of the project’s length.
Funding for the project is in place, and construction is expected to start in the spring. Since the project will be constructed in phases to minimize traffic disruption, the project is not expected to be completed until the summer of 2021.