Council authorizes KDOT cost‑share application for Ridgeview shoulder and safety project

Spring Hill staff asked for and received authorization to apply for KDOT cost‑share funding to improve roughly one mile of Ridgeview Road from 190 First to 190 Ninth Street, a corridor that passes multiple schools and has repeated low‑speed accidents.

Project scope presented by staff includes widening shoulders (four‑foot shoulders where feasible), improving ditch geometry, and tying the work to nearby projects already in the CIP (the 190 Ninth Street improvements and an SS4A safety project near 190 First). Staff estimated an overall project cost of about $1,870,000 and said the local match would be approximately 15% of the project cost. The city would seek letters of support, including from the school district and community stakeholders, to strengthen the application.

Council discussion highlighted school‑related traffic, young drivers and repeated small accidents along the corridor. Members discussed adding asphalt shoulders or other design changes that might accommodate bicyclists; staff said such refinements could be discussed in the design phase if the grant application is successful.

Council authorized staff to submit the KDOT cost‑share application and directed staff to pursue community and school district support letters. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: If the application advances, staff will return with grant commitments, a refined scope and a funding plan addressing the local match.