In September 2011, the Kansas City, Missouri "How to Reduce Accidents on Missouri 152" Task Force released their findings and recommendations. This corridor affects drivers in both Kansas City and Liberty, Missouri. After months of work, the 152 Task Force has offered numerous recommendations: read the full report by clicking here. Our Kansas City, Missouri car accident attorneys feel that one of the most important recommendations was to build the Flintlock Flyover, a much needed but expensive improvement--one that would significantly reduce car accidents on the Missouri 152 corridor.
Finally, in late October, it was announced that the Flintlock Flyover was a "go". According to Steve Hansen, Liberty Public Works Director, Liberty, Kansas City, and the Missouri Department of Transportation have signed agreements that should allow the Flintlock Flyover to be constructed. Additionally, these agreements allow for the recommended improvements to the Highway 291/I-35 intersection. The Flintlock Flyover is projected to cost $21.6 million and the intersection improvements are projected at $16.5 million. These agreements help align funding from federal, state, and local monies.
Flintlock Flyover and Highway 291/I-35 Intersection Improvements
Both projects will greatly reduce the number of vehicles traveling on the Missouri 152, which will help to ease traffic congestion. This ease in congestion will help to reduce the number of car accidents along the this heavily traveled corridor.
There are around 30,000 cars using the Missouri 152 corridor per day. In particular, there's a large amount of school traffic in that area, as many students in Liberty schools reside on the Kansas City side of school district boundaries. According to Superintendent Mike Brewer, buses make 128 trips across 1-35 every single day. The flyover will cross over I-35 and reduce the number of vehicles by approximately 7,500 cars. It will feature 2, 16-foot wide driving lanes, a 10-foot wide sidewalk (separated from traffic with a barrier and a fence), and 2 roundabouts (one at Northeast 76th; one at Liberty Drive). It's anticipated that construction will begin this year, and will take 18 months to 2 years to complete
Capt. David Tedesco, Liberty Police Department, added that adding police presence to the Missouri 152 corridor was responsible, in part, for reducing the number of car accidents to 454 by the end of September 2011. The total through September 2010 was 473. He felt the other deterrent was accomplished through public education, as the corridor has been formally declared an Accident Reduction Zone.
Flintlock Flyover History
The construction of the Flintlock Flyover has been a topic of discussion since before 1998. It has been part of various elections over the years with voters going back and forth on the importance of ear-marking funds for the overpass. A delegation of Liberty officials spoke to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in 2006 when federal funds for the project fell short.
So, this recent news about the signed transportation funding agreements is fantastic news for the drivers in Kansas City and Liberty, especially commuters. And it is certainly good news for everyone who works to reduce the number of car accidents on Missouri roads.
For more information about the 152 Task Force or the Flintlock Flyover, visit the Kansas City Missouri Police Department's website, or the City of Liberty's website.
For more information about car accidents and personal injury claims, visit the Kansas City Missouri car accident lawyers online, or contact our office toll free at 1-888-777-AUTO.
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