Public Engagement Update

The second public meeting about the future of Blue River Road was held on October 1, 2025 at Center High School. Thank you to everyone who attended this meeting and to everyone who has given feedback along the way. The presentation shown at that public meeting can be viewed here. You can also view submitted feedback from April 2025 through October 2025 on the project Speak Easy page.

Overview

Kansas City needs your feedback to determine the future of Blue River Road! The road was first built by Jackson County in 1929 and has experienced multiple structural failures over the years. Today, several portions of the road are closed due to safety and structural issues. Kansas City has identified several potential options to restore Blue River Road in various capacities for the community's consideration. Staff members have been gathering feedback on those options since April 2025 and will present findings at an upcoming public engagement event on October 1, 2025. Submitted questions will also be answered at the event.

Separate from the Public Works project, Kansas City's Neighborhood Services Department is leading beautify the area around the Blue River. A groundbreaking ceremony to kickstart those efforts will be held October 2, 2025.

Option 1A - Rebuild Existing Alignment - $30M - $46M

• Rebuild to modern standards on existing alignment
• Shift road 20-ft into bluff
• 2 x 12-ft lanes
• 2 x 5-ft sidewalks
• Streambank stabilization

Option 1B - Rebuild Existing Alignment with Shared Path - $31M - $48M

• Rebuild to modern standards on existing alignment
• Shift road 20-ft into bluff
• 2 x 12-ft lanes
• 1 x 10-ft shared path
• 1 x 5-ft sidewalk
• Streambank stabilization

Option 2 – Shift Road into Bluff - $29M to $50M

• Shift roadway 60-ft into bluff
• Roadway rests on top of Limestone for stability
• 2 x 12-ft lanes
• 1 x 10-ft shared use path
• Drainage improvements

Option 3A – Shared Road to Fields, Trail Only to the South - $19M

• 22-ft wide roadway to football fields
• 2-way traffic on shared use road
• 18-ft wide trail only between football fields and Chestnut
• Stream bank stabilization

Option 3B – Roundabouts, One Way Traffic South of Fields - $20M

• 22-ft wide roadway with roundabouts at baseball fields and at Chestnut
• One-way SB road 18-ft wide shared use in between
• Stream bank stabilization

Option 4 – Road Closure and Trail - $1M to $2M

• Walking Trail
• Microsurfacing and Pavement Marking
• Starting 890 feet south of Bannister and extending to the south side of the gravel parking lot.
• Removal of pavement with an approximate pavement thickness of 10 inches.
• Grading and placement of removed pavement (millings) to serve as the trail base.
• Paring Lot
• Grading and Placement of removed pavement (millings) in the gravel parking lot.
• Adding parking area at southern terminus at Chestnut Drive
• Similar treatment from Hickman to Prospect
• No streambank stabilization

Option 5 – Move the roadway to East - $42M

• Realign new roadway through hill