Phase I of Kansas Expressway extension ready to go

Provided by Greene County

The first phase calls on the extension of Kansas Expressway between Republic and Plainview roads.

A decadeslong vision to extend Kansas Expressway beyond Republic Road is coming to fruition.

The Greene County Commission signed a contract allowing site development and highway construction company Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. to begin work, according to a news release. The contractor can start mobilizing equipment for Phase I on Dec. 22.

The Missouri Department of Transportation approved the lowest bid for Phase I of $15.7 million from Emery Sapp & Sons. The bid is nearly $6 million under the engineer's cost estimate for the first phase.

Phase I calls on the extension of Kansas Expressway from Republic Road to Plainview Road. Construction is slated for completion by Nov. 1, 2023, according to the release.

Phase II construction, which would connect Kansas Expressway to Farm Road 190, near the James River crossing, is scheduled to start in winter 2023 and wrap in spring 2025.

"The new roadway will provide motorists with an alternative connection in southern Greene County and provide traffic congestion relief along parallel routes at Cox Road and Campbell Avenue," officials said in the release.

Emery Sapp & Sons is on board to build a two-lane road with turning lanes at major intersections, conduct stormwater improvements, and develop a pedestrian and bicycle path along the corridor. The project will be financed with 80% of federal transportation funds and 20% of county funds; the city of Springfield is a cost-share partner as the northern portion of the extension is within city limits.

Officials began planning the Kansas Expressway extension nearly four decades ago, according to the release. Feasibility studies, environmental assessments and right-of-way plans have been finalized to prepare the route for construction in 2022, according to the release.