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The purpose of the meeting will be to review work we have performed since our last Advisory Group meeting. We would like to review the recommended construction phasing plan for the project going forward. We will also provide an update on some upcoming activities related to the interchange improvements including the interim improvement project and moving forward with surveys. We are also inviting public officials from the area to learn more about the project and its progress.

At the Issues Workshop in late June, the study team presented phasing plans of how the project could be constructed. Since then, the study team is refining those plans and discussing what enviromental documentation is needed in order to move forward. We are planning future meetings with the study team in August and will likely be holding an Advisory Group meeting in September. A public meeting is expected at the beginning of 2011.

The third Advisory Group meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28. The study team will be presenting information on the concept alternatives reviewed, the preferred improvement concept, and discussing the phasing plan, or how the improvements can be divided into smaller, more manageable projects.

Blake Schreck, President of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce sat down with me and provided his thoughts on the importance of the I-435/I-35/K10 interchange area to Lenexa and how improvements to the interchange are critical to the economy of Lenexa.
Please note this is our first pod video interview, so there is room for improvement from a video/quality standpoint.

On January 8, 2010, KDOT invited key businesses and stakeholders in the study area to an issues workshop where the study team presented two draft concept alternatives. We asked the business community what concerns they had with the proposed concepts and how they thought the improvements might impact them. Overall, most of the concerns noted had to do with funding the improvements and for what short-term solutions could be implemented until all the improvements could be completed. As the study progresses, there will be more discussion on the short-term improvements. At this time, there is no funding for construction or any right-of-way acquistion. The presentation can be found in the resource link under meeting summaries.

The second Advisory Group meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8. The study team will be presenting future traffic information, discussing the results from the online survey and reviewing plans for the May 14 public meeting.

The first meeting of the Advisory Group was held on March 2, 2009 to introduce the project approach and schedule. The project team presented information on the existing traffic conditions, pavement and bridge conditions as well as the public engagement opportunities during the study. A copy of the materials presented at the meeting can be found under resources/meeting summaries.
The Advisory Group is made up of business, economic development and public sector representatives from Johnson County, Lenexa, Olathe and Overland Park. The group will meet seven times during the life of the study to provide input to KDOT.