Engineering lays out 2026 CIP: Bridal Road realignment, roundabouts, paths and reconstruction timelines

Paul Telamonchuk, project manager supervisor in the Engineering Department, presented the 2026 capital improvement program and timelines for design, right-of-way acquisition and construction.

Design projects beginning in 2026 include Bridal Road (Bryan Road) pavement and path upgrades (replace a 6-foot asphalt path with a 10-foot shared-use concrete path from White Magnolia Drive to Norwood Hills Drive) and Mexico Road resurfacing with a 10-foot shared-use path from Barrington Drive to Bello Creek Road. Paul explained the city successfully pursued federal funding and county road-board funding where eligible; when both federal and county matches are available the city's local share can be a small portion of design costs.

Major construction and right-of-way planning items noted in the presentation:

- West Terra Lane/Bridal Road realignment (land acquisition beginning in 2026; construction planned for 2028'29). The project includes a roundabout with bypass lanes to accommodate industrial traffic and reduce backups near the I-70 interchange; staff said the full project cost is substantial and requires significant right-of-way acquisition and environmental clearances.

- Tom Ginevra/N. Cool Springs roundabout (construction programmed for 2026, with a likely late-summer start after major local events) designed to improve peak-hour backups, reduce stop-and-go emissions (CMAQ-funded application) and improve safety.

- Egering Drive reconstruction (full rebuild with storm-sewer work and sidewalks linking Westhoff Park and City Hall) scheduled for construction in 2026.

- Hough Road Phase 2 (bidding late 2026 and construction likely in 2027) and Deer Road and Steer Road reconstruction segments on the program in 2026'27.

- Darden Greenway connection from Sports Park to Bluebird Meadow Park and an underpass under Highway K to improve trail continuity.

Paul and committee members discussed roundabout geometry and truck bypass lanes for the West Terra/Bridal configuration, federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding, anticipated right-of-way and relocation timelines, and why the Bridal/West Terra project appears later in the construction schedule (large cost and complex property acquisitions near I-70 require multi-year land acquisition and environmental clearances). Several committee members requested a deeper follow-up briefing on the Bridal/West Terra plan with more detailed exhibits and numbers.

Ending: Paul said design and preliminary environmental work are proceeding and staff will begin land acquisition for the West Terra realignment next year; committee members asked to schedule a fuller briefing on that project.