Over the next four years, Mission Road will undergo many enhancements. Resurfacing will take place between 85th and 95th streets, and sidewalks will be constructed on the Leawood side of Mission. The City of Leawood and the City of Prairie Village are teaming together on these improvements through an Interlocal Agreement with the Board of County Commissions of Johnson County. The project will receive in-part funds from the County Assistance Road System (CARS) program.
Farther south on Mission Road, the City of Leawood has authorized a permanent traffic signal at the intersection of Lee Boulevard and Mission Road. A temporary signal had been planned due to the anticipated construction traffic associated with the updates to the Johnson County Wastewater Treatment project, however it was determined that a permanent signal would be more cost-efficient. Johnson County and Leawood will share in the costs of the new signal. The addition of the traffic signal will not only assist motorists with the added construction traffic, but help in providing a smoother traffic flow with the expected heavier traffic patterns upon completion of the wastewater treatment plant, as well as City Park events.
Expectations of heavier traffic patterns is influencing consideration of a study to place a traffic signal at the intersection of 127th and Mission Road. The study will begin after the construction on Mission Road, possibly late in 2018 or early 2019. Consideration for the installation of the traffic signal will study the speed and volume of traffic. Because the time of day and year can impact the accuracy of such a study, it will be important for the City to also assess the possible impact of adding a signal in other nearby intersections.
Next year, the City will also begin looking at designs to widen and improve Mission Road from 135th to 143rd. Construction for the project is slated to begin in 2022 with the balance of construction on Mission Road, south from 143rd, to occur in 2024.