Lenexa staff outline Complete Streets progress and suggest updating plan

Steve Schooley, transportation manager, summarized Lenexa's Complete Streets program, noting it was adopted about six years ago and is intended to "plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain a transportation system that safely accommodates all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, freight, and emergency services." He said implementation has focused on pedestrian, bicycle and transit accommodations and pointed to code amendments in 2021 that require sidewalk connections in new developments and encourage bicycle parking and wider sidewalks.

Schooley highlighted completed and ongoing work—more than 6.5 miles of marked bike lanes, roughly 28 miles of shared‑lane markings, expanded sidewalk and trail networks, a pedestrian tunnel under 87th Street Parkway and improved connectivity to City Center. He noted federal funding for specific projects of approximately $1 million for Scarborough and $1.4 million for improvements at 95th & Lackman. Councilmembers asked about timelines for City Center transit connections (including temporary accommodations tied to FIFA World Cup needs) and the location of upcoming sidewalks; Mayor Sayers asked whether the Complete Streets plan should be updated to reflect completed projects and visuals, and Schooley agreed it may be appropriate to update the living document.

Next steps: staff indicated an update and improved public communications about Complete Streets accomplishments could be pursued.