Project Description

The MRC is a proposed 40-kilometer (24.8-mile) roadway to be located in the cities of Kansas City, Sugar Creek, Independence and unincorporated Jackson County, Missouri. Portions of the MRC Project were analyzed in four previous studies: Front Street, Chouteau Trafficway, South Riverfront Expressway (SRE) and Little Blue Expressway (LBE).

    The proposed project begins in the west at Front Street, near the intersection with I-29/ I-35, where the existing roadway would be widened to a four-lane principal arterial section to the intersection with Chouteau Trafficway. The north terminus of the project is at the Chouteau Trafficway intersection with I-35, excluding the Chouteau Bridge and continuing to the intersection with Front Street.

    The proposed project provides for the widening of Chouteau Trafficway to a four-lane principal arterial section. Front Street would be widened to a six-lane arterial roadway from Chouteau Trafficway east to the beginning of the new South Riverfront Expressway. The South Riverfront Expressway is proposed as a four-lane divided, limited access expressway on new right-of-way, extending from the Front Street extension, across the Blue River, through the former Amoco Refinery, along the Missouri River near Cement City Road and continuing to a new interchange with M-291.

    The South Riverfront Expressway continues from M-291 as a four-lane limited access expressway to U.S. Route 24. The project continues with the Little Blue Expressway, which is proposed for construction as a four-lane limited access expressway, beginning at the U.S. Route 24 intersection, continuing west of the Little Blue Trace, to the project southeastern terminus at Selsa Road and 39th Street.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) established a national policy for transportation decision making calling for greater community involvement in transportation planning, a stronger link between transportation and land use planning, an evaluation of multi-modal options to address transportation demands. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), representing constituents from Jackson and Clay Counties, and the cities of Kansas City, Sugar Creek and Independence, initiated the study process to identify transportation needs and deficiencies within the MRC study area.

    Consensus was assured by establishing an Advisory Committee and a Steering Committee and incorporating active public participation into the study process. The participants assisted in the development and refinement of the goals and objectives for the MRC study area, which are based on those identified in MARC Transportation 2020. The community decision making process resulted in the following specific purposes.

• Improve the safety of the MRC facilities.

• Improve mobility in the MRC.

• Facilitate the development of an efficient, integrated transportation system.

• Support economic development.

• Manage the transportation system to maximize the return on the investment in highway and transit networks.

• Maintain or improve the quality of the natural environment.

• Enhance quality of life.