Scherer Road Alignment Study

The Scherer Road Alignment Study is a precursor to the Scherer Road Reconstruction projects outlined in the current Capital Improvement Plan, funded by the voter-approved 2023 No Tax Increase Bond Issue and CIP Sales Tax. This alignment study will provide a comprehensive vision of the future arterial roadway system in the area to guide both private development and City Capital Improvement Projects.

The Scherer Road Reconstruction projects will be two separate projects upgrading the existing unimproved Scherer Road from Jefferson Street to Ward Road in the first phase, then from Ward Rd to Sampson Road in the second phase. As land in this area is developed, a new arterial road will continue Scherer Parkway and connect the existing Scherer Parkway to a new interchange at M291 Highway and Hook Road. The alignment of this new arterial will be designated in the alignment study. Most of this new arterial will likely be constructed by developers as new development occurs between Scherer Road and the planned Hook Interchange at M291 Highway. Additionally, an alignment will be developed for Longview Boulevard from its existing southern terminus to Hook Road in this alignment study.  The voter-approved No-Tax Increase Bond Issue also funds the Longview Blvd extension and will likely be built with Scherer Road reconstruction phase 2 or around a similar schedule.  All of these arterial roads are in the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and related modal master plans.

This project supports improved safety, operations, southwest Lee’s Summit community growth, and livability. The project is identified in the Thoroughfare Master Plan, the Greenway Master Plan, and the Bicycle Transportation Plan, which are also in the adopted Comprehensive Plan for the City of Lee’s Summit. Phase 1 of the Scherer Road Reconstruction project intersects the Rock Island Trail and supports a future trailhead. There are also future park plans along the corridor. 

The Scherer Road Reconstruction project's later phase(s) will connect with Longview Lake. Increased land development, traffic demand and use by cyclists and pedestrians along this corridor is cause for its forthcoming capacity issues and impediment to further community growth. The existing unimproved road conditions, with narrow lanes, an absence of shoulders, no sidewalks or trails, limited intersection sight distance, and other safety concerns with a history of severe and fatal crashes, present a current need for improvement. The project will meet the commitment to voters who approved a No Tax Increase Bond Issue and CIP Sales Tax. It also supports the Ignite Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan adopted by the City Council.

• Alignment Study -  Completed in spring 2025.
• Scherer Road Reconstruction Phase 1 (Jefferson Street to Ward Road) - Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2027. 
• Scherer Road Reconstruction Phase 2 (Ward Road to Sampson Road) - Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2028. 

This alignment study aims to provide an efficient roadway system serving as an east/west connection that will accommodate existing and future growth in the area. It will also guide private development and City capital improvement projects.

Scherer Parkway will begin approximately 2,100 feet west of Sampson Road and follow the existing roadway alignment east to a point between Pryor Road and Ward Road. It will then depart the existing Scherer Road alignment and traverse southeasterly through the PRI property and end at the future Route 291 and Hook Road Interchange.

Scherer Road Reconstruction (Ward Road to Jefferson Street) is funded with a combination of CIP Sales Tax Renewal (2017), April 2023 NTIB (Transportation), and Water Construction (316) funds.

Scherer Road Reconstruction (Sampson Road to Ward Road) is funded with a combination of CIP Sales Tax Renewal (2017) and April 2023 NTIB (Transportation) funds.

Both Scherer Road Reconstruction projects are subject to change to include STP Federal Funds to supplement the City’s funding.

The future Scherer Parkway extension, where it diverges from Scherer Road and traverses south easterly to the Hook Road Interchange, will be paid for and constructed by the developers as new subdivisions are planned and constructed.
Longview Parkway Widening and Construction (from Longview Road to Scherer Parkway) is funded by April 2023 NTIB (Transportation) funds.

While many factors are considered in determining the preferred alignment, the following are the most important: how to provide safe and efficient infrastructure for all modes of travel in the area, community stakeholder input, the Ignite! Comprehensive Plan and other adopted Master Plans, environmental impact, financial considerations, existing and future infrastructure, utilities, and community needs.

The Route 291 and Hook Road Interchange is a future, unfunded need of the City and could be handled as a cost-share project with MoDOT. As development occurs within this area, the need for this improvement increases. As there are no pending development projects, the priority level of this improvement has not yet been identified.

It is anticipated that property will need to be purchased along Scherer Road for purposes of obtaining the necessary right-of-way. It is not yet known the extent of any necessary land acquisition, but the City will work with any and all affected property owners.

Scherer Road Reconstruction (Ward Road to Jefferson Street) is anticipated to be constructed in 2027-2028.

Scherer Road Reconstruction (Sampson Road to Ward Road) is anticipated to be constructed in 2028-2029.

Longview Parkway Widening and Construction (from Longview Road to Scherer Parkway) is also anticipated in 2028-2029.

The future Scherer Parkway extension, where it diverges from Scherer Road and traverses southeasterly to the Hook Road Interchange, will be constructed, most likely, two lanes at a time, as new subdivisions are constructed. No timeline has been established for the completion of Scherer Parkway, and construction could take many years to complete.