These parks, roads in Wyandotte and Johnson counties to soon see $7M in upgrades

A Kansas City-area U.S. representative secured about $9 million in federal infrastructure funds in Congress’ latest budget to finance projects in Wyandotte, Johnson and Miami counties, according to a news release sent last week.

The projects, championed by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, are designed to improve road, water and aviation infrastructure in Kansas’ Third District.

Of those projects, three will be in Wyandotte County, five in Johnson County and one involves work on Osawatomie’s John Brown Park in Miami County.

“These projects were shaped with local leaders and designed to make everyday life safer and more reliable, from the roads we drive to the water we drink and the parks where our children play,” Davids said in the release. “This is a fiscally responsible, community-driven investment that delivers real, lasting results for Kansans.”

Wyandotte County projects

Kansas Avenue Bridge

The agreement includes allocating $1.2 million to design and environmental clearance on the Kansas Avenue Bridge, which the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas closed in 2022 due to structural concerns.

Its closure has shut off a bridge directly connecting KCK to the West Bottoms.

The investment would connect the city to the region and “the urban freight corridor crucial to the many local industrial and manufacturing businesses in the Kansas City metropolitan region,” according to the release.

Mount Marty Park and the BPU grid

It would also direct $250,000 each to updating Mount Marty Park and to improving the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities’ electric grid.

Work at Mount Monty Park, which sits in southeast KCK, would include updating signage, lighting, resurfacing the roadway, trail work and other repairs.

Electric grid improvements include building three new feeders, or conductor lines, from the Rosedale substation to the University of Kansas Medical Center.

“Reliable power underpins daily life in our community, from homes and schools to local businesses and critical services,” said Jeremy Ash, BPU general manager. “This investment strengthens the electric system Wyandotte County depends on, improving reliability today while preparing us for the future.”

Johnson County projects

The agreement would make way for the following Johnson County projects:

• Directing $2 million toward building a new air traffic control tower and replacing an “operationally obsolete” tower at the New Century AirCenter. Upgrading the tower would be essential to maintaining safety, efficiency and annual $1.1 billion contribution that the airport brings to the area annually, Johnson County Commissioner Mike Kelly said.
• Using $1.3 million to replace street signals and improve sidewalks in Overland Park. These improvements would be made along Metcalf Avenue at I-435 westbound, I-435 eastbound and 110th Street.
• Spending $850,000 on improvements at an intersection in Spring Hill near U.S. Highway 169 and 191st Street.
• Spending $850,000 on county building security upgrades, which would include improving security technology. Improving the Prairie Village Municipal Complex with $250,000. Upgrades include work on facility driveways, sidewalks, drainage pipes, funding and more.