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KDOT presents K‑5 modernization study; commissioners debate prioritizing safety or broader connectivity
Summary
KDOT and consultants presented a discovery‑phase study for the K‑5 corridor, citing a crash rate roughly ten times the state average for comparable two‑lane roads; commissioners discussed whether to pursue targeted safety fixes or larger connectivity/modernization projects and were told public open houses are planned in January–February.
KDOT and its consultants briefed the Leavenworth County Board on the K‑5 modernization project, explaining the study is in a discovery phase and focused on documenting corridor conditions and options.
Presentation highlights: Jacob Deiner (KDOT PMC/Burns & McDonnell) and Jeff McGurro (consultant) framed the work as a study to identify safety issues and feasible improvements. Consultants said current average daily traffic is about 4,000 vehicles on K‑5 (versus roughly 30,000–35,000 on K‑7) and projected roughly a 15% traffic increase over 25 years if the corridor remains unimproved. They outlined limited right‑of‑way, narrow lanes (about 10–11 feet), lack of shoulders and constrained geometry as ongoing constraints.
Safety finding: Consultants reported concentration of fatal and serious‑injury crashes and stated the corridor's fatal/serious crash rate is about ten times higher than would be expected for a typical two‑lane highway in Kansas. The presentation cited motorcycle accidents and measured speeds as contributing factors and identified specific curve locations and short sight distances as problem areas.
Goals and trade‑offs: The team proposed three guiding objectives—safety, connectivity to regional destinations, and modernization. Commissioners questioned whether pursuing connectivity or a ‘‘super‑2’’ upgrade (wider shoulders and higher capacity) would be practical or cost‑effective, with several urging focus on safety improvements (spot improvements, shoulders) rather than a full corridor rebuild. Commissioners also raised the county's long‑standing interest in a proposed I‑52/Eastern Gateway bridge; KDOT staff said bridge projects face large cost and coordination hurdles and that major construction funding is likely to fall into later program cycles (2030+).
Engagement and next steps: Consultants said they will complete public‑official briefings across affected jurisdictions, then hold stakeholder meetings and public open houses (planned for January–February) and draft a locally preferred alternative. Any major construction will require subsequent design, utility work and funding allocations; the team noted program timing and funding limits.
What was decided or directed: No formal votes were taken on corridor improvements at this meeting. Commissioners provided input on priorities, agreed to staff follow‑up and encouraged consultant engagement with local stakeholders and Lansing officials before finalizing recommendations.
Representative quotes: "We're seeing fatal and serious injuries that are about 10 times less than what you see on this route" (consultant describing statewide comparison); and "I think it's important to make it safer" (commissioner urging safety‑focused improvements).
Next steps: Consultants will compile feedback, present a locally preferred alternative, and host public open houses in early 2026 timeframe for further input; KDOT and consultants will return with cost estimates and phased options.
