City reports underground utilities nearing completion; 2025 street and drainage work to start soon

City staff told the council that the Evergy subcontract to underground utilities is almost complete and that crews hope to energize new lines by the end of the following day, which would remove a lane drop on Shawnee Mission Parkway. "For the most part, the big part of it is complete," said the presenter from capital projects. The council was told that Google and Spectrum still must bore under Antioch south of Shawnee Mission Parkway and that their fiber will be installed on the east side of Antioch to 60 Fourth/60 Second Terrace. Nut graf: Staff said the 2025 street and drainage project has a preconstruction meeting scheduled and will start soon; WaterOne continues to respond to multiple seasonal water-main breaks, and city staff will post traffic impacts and lane closures to social media. The council also received updates that the I‑35 interchange study remains underway and that Overland Park continues to address geotechnical issues on the 70th Street bridge replacement. Staff said some work on the former library site will continue with the developer, and that the city is coordinating undergrounding and pole removal as final pieces are completed. Council members asked whether Google and Spectrum would require lane drops on Antioch; staff said likely yes and promised advance notice. On separate transportation topics, staff said HNTB’s interchange study is progressing and that Overland Park reported geotechnical and nearby sanitary‑sewer constraints on the 70th Street bridge, with a hoped-for solution in August. Ending: Staff asked council members to monitor social media notices for overnight I‑35 lane closures and announced a retirement reception for a long‑time community development employee; project status reports will return as phases complete.