Design

As one of the major thoroughfares in our community, the full-depth reconstruction of 6th Street was preceded by a much needed redesign of the entire north/south corridor. Beginning in 2021, this 18+ month design period included several widespread technical surveys of land and utilities by engineering firms, an informal community preference survey, plus three separate public engagement opportunities hosted by City staff. Currently, the reconstruction plans include third party and City-owned utility relocation, changes in grade, vastly improved stormwater maintenance, and a number of pedestrian improvements. Some of the most notable changes in the redesign are the additions of a 10' shared use path along portions of the road, completed 5' sidewalks throughout the corridor, and the installation of black "acorn" style streetlights to match Main Street's street scape.

• VIEW / DOWNLOAD (PDF) 6TH STREET RECONSTRUCTION PLANS

Proposed Design Plans for 6th Street and Main Street Intersection

What's a Full-Depth Reconstruction?

When it comes to street repair and rehabilitation, sometimes the best (or only) course of action is a full-depth reconstruction. This time- and labor-intensive method requires the complete removal of existing roadways and surrounding surfaces, like sidewalks or driveway approaches, in order to install a brand new road base. Streets requiring full-depth reconstructions often also require more extensive work than just replacing the road itself and can include stormwater maintenance improvements, grade corrections, reconfiguration of intersections or other access approaches, and underground utility replacement or relocation. Once corrective and/or preparatory work is completed in the area, the actual road reconstruction can begin!

What Else is Changing?

Within this redesign, City officials are aiming to improve pedestrian access and safety as well as improve traffic flow for motor vehicles. This means an improved sidewalk network along the entire corridor and even the addition of shared-use pathways in certain sections! Thanks to a $1.5 million grant from Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the road reconstruction plan has been tied into developing bike/ped trail networks which means greater options for alternative transportation (biking, walking, rolling, scooting, skating, etc.). Changes to on-street parking availability in high traffic sections and a better-aligned traffic flow also mean improved crossing conditions for pedestrians, like students walking to and from school.

What's Next?

As the design process reached critical milestones, City officials and engineering partners BG Consultants were able to calculate estimated costs. Using this information and preliminary plans, City staff began sourcing funding both within the City's operating budget and annual CIP (capital improvement plan) funds and from exterior sources, such as state grant programs and county-level support. Check out the project funding plan HERE.

Project Contact(s)

Michele Silsbee
Director of Public Works
[email protected]
(913) 755 - 2146 x231

Bret Glendening
City Manager
[email protected]
(913) 755 - 2146 x101