Ward Road Improvements Project

The Ward Road project improvements include roadway reconstruction to a two-lane section, one in each direction, with bicycle lanes and sidewalk along both sides.  Other improvements include curb and gutter, enclosed storm drainage, intersection improvements, continuous street lighting, new waterline infrastructure, and associated utility relocations. 

This project will enhance safety and operations by improving the Ward Road corridor to include livable street components that will accommodate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. The project supports the City’s Livable Streets Policy.

The estimated schedule includes design and right-of-way acquisition in 2023-2025, and construction in 2026.

The project is funded by the City of Lee’s Summit’s Capital Improvement (CIP) Sales Tax, with some funding from the Water Construction fund.

The improvements include a total reconstruction of the existing streets. To do this, the existing street will be completely removed and a new rock base and new concrete pavement will be constructed with a standup curb and gutter. The new street section will also include a 5’ bike lane in each direction. In addition, the new street will have a 4'-5' parkway between the curb and new 5' sidewalk on each side of the road with new LED street lights on one side The existing storm sewer system will also be upgraded with new curb inlets and pipe to better convey stormwater runoff.

The project is funded by the City of Lee’s Summit’s Capital Improvements Program. There is no special assessment on the property owners.

Construction of Ward Rd Phase I is planned to begin in late 2025 and continue through the summer/fall of 2026. In order to maintain project separation and limit disruptions to traffic Ward Rd Phase II construction will begin after Phase I has reached substantial completion.

Preliminary design plans (30% level of design) have been completed and utility companies are working on their plans for necessary utility relocation work ahead of construction.

Utility relocations are expected to begin in the spring/summer of 2025. Roadway construction is expected to begin in late 2026. The construction schedule may change depending on the bidding and construction of Ward Rd from Blue Pkwy to O’Brien Rd (Phase 1).

Upon utility relocation completion, roadway construction is expected to take approximately 6 to 8 months. However, the construction activities at any one location may be much less.

Construction is expected to be completed by summer/fall of 2027.

Once the contractor is selected, there will be a pre-construction meeting with the property owners and residents. During this meeting a schedule and work plan will be presented.

Most of the time, you will be able to park in your driveway in the evenings. There will be intermittent times when the contractor may have sections of the road closed to install improvements and allow new concrete to cure. At those times, you should park on adjacent streets. The Contractor is allowed to close residential driveways no more than 21 calendar days.

No. At certain times, you will not be able to enter your driveway due to the construction of the concrete pavement and curb and gutter in front of the driveway or construction of the driveway itself. You will not be able to enter the driveway because of the time required for the concrete to cure. At certain times during the project, traffic will travel in one direction only, during that time you will be required to park on adjacent side streets. When the road is not restricted to one way traffic, you will be able to park in front of your property outside of the contractor’s working hours. If you have special need for access for medical or other reasons, please let the City know so we can make accommodations. The contractor will notify you of times you will not have access to your driveway by placing a door hanger on your property at least 24 hours prior to the work.

At a minimum, the City will replace your existing driveway with concrete pavement between the back of the curb and gutter and the right-of-way line. If additional driveway removal is required to provide a smooth transition from your existing driveway to the proposed roadway, the City will construct additional concrete driveway to create this transition. The slope of the driveway may increase or decrease to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements or updated road profile standards.

The contractor has the discretion to perform extra work as requested by property owners. The homeowner will have the opportunity to meet the roadway contractor at the pre-construction meeting. At that time, the homeowner can contact the contractor about extra work. All extra work performed by the contractor will be between the property owner and the contractor.

The City of Lee’s Summit’s construction inspector will be on-site to monitor the contractor.

You will not lose mail service during the construction.

It is critical for property owners and residents to inform the City staff about anything special regarding your property. You were asked to provide information about your property through a questionnaire. This information is very important to the success of the construction project. Please submit the questionnaire if you have not done so already. Additionally, please let us know if you have other comments that were not on the questionnaire. Property owners may be asked to sign temporary and/or permanent easements to allow the City and its contractor access to install some of the improvements. Additional information on required easements will be sent to those property owners in future correspondence.

Yards disturbed as part of construction will be sodded at project completion

The contractor will be required to water and maintain the sod while it is being installed. After installation is complete, sod care and maintenance will become the responsibility of the property owner.