U.S. 50 Corridor Study Project History
In July 2000, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) launched a study to determine potential transportation improvements for the U.S. 50 Corridor, a 10-mile stretch of highway extending from I-470 east to Missouri Route 7.
The study examined current transportation issues and identified future improvements most appropriate for residents, businesses and travelers along the corridor. Two critical aspects of the project were to define right-of-way needs for the eventual improvements, and to undertake a thorough public involvement program so the final project would reflect the community’s concerns.
Communities along the corridor include Lee’s Summit, Kansas City, Unity Village, Lake Lotawana and unincorporated areas of southeastern Jackson County, Missouri.
Assisting MoDOT was a study team led by TranSystems Corporation, and comprised of M. J. Harden Associates; T.J. Brown & Associates, and Jane Mobley Associates.
The study was carried out in four phases:
- Data collection: This included an assessment of current characteristics of the corridor and creation of base maps. The safety and operating efficiency of the existing highway, interchanges and intersections were evaluated.
- Needs identification: Deficiencies along the highway were identified for existing and future conditions. The future conditions were determined through a traffic model that incorporated projected land uses and local street network improvements.
- Alternative improvement strategies: The development of possible improvement alternatives to address the corridor deficiencies.
- Preferred improvement strategy: The preferred strategy involves physical and traffic control improvements to the existing corridor, including the highway main line, interchanges, cross roads and outer roads.
The identified
Preferred Improvement Strategy is a result of coordination with and input from public involvement, travel demand modeling, traffic analyses, transportation planning and civil engineering design.
