Board approves temporary Evergy access for Rock Road path and pedestrian bridge work

The Wichita Park Board voted to approve a temporary right-of-entry allowing Evergy to access the Rock Road corridor to relocate transmission lines for a planned two-phase path and pedestrian-bridge project.

Jerry Gore (Speaker 6) explained that the corridor between Woodlawn and K-96 is largely gravel today and that the city intends to construct a 13-foot-wide corridor (10 feet paved, 3 feet gravel) in Phase 1, with a pedestrian bridge across Rock Road in Phase 2. Gore said the work will require pole pulling, environmental studies and soil borings and that Evergy will be asked to share environmental reports with the city. "The right-of-entry agreement is temporary. It would expire at the latest, 12/31/2026," Gore said.

Why it matters: Staff said paving work for the path segment is expected to begin within three to four months, while bridge construction is planned for late 2026. Evergy’s transmission-line modifications are a necessary precursor to the bridge; staff told the board there is no financial compensation to the city for use of the right-of-entry, and the agreement is time-limited.

Board action: A board member moved to approve the temporary access and necessary signatures; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: Staff will proceed to coordinate environmental studies, soil borings and schedule construction for phase 1; staff said Evergy will share reports and that the right-of-entry will govern access through the agreed period.

Quotations in this story are attributed to staff present at the board meeting and are taken from the meeting transcript.