I-49 Outer Road Conversion Design-Build

As part of a design-build team, TREKK led design efforts to convert the I-49 one-way frontage road system to two-way traffic between M-150 and Harry S. Truman Drive in Grandview. 

The I-49 outer road system was converted to one-way traffic in the 1980s. The one-way traffic, originally designed as a safety measure, had evolved into increased travel time and confusion for non-familiar drivers. As a result, the city of Grandview had long planned to revert the outer road system back to two-way traffic to decrease travel time and improve opportunities for economic development.

The conversion extends nearly 3 miles from MO-150 north to Harry S. Truman Drive, including interchanges at 140th Street and Main Street. These roads carry thousands of vehicles per day as they enter and exit I-49 or complete local trips through Grandview. Through this section, the outer roads are home to many businesses, and side streets lead to residential neighborhoods.

The award-winning project impacted two interchanges along the corridor as part of the outer road conversion. New access points from I-49 to the outer road system are possible via two roundabouts near 140th Street. Adequate acceleration and deceleration lanes provide safe transitions from the interstate system to the local road network. New overhead signage helps guide travelers to their destinations. TREKK used aerial LiDAR data acquisition to compare and update a five-year-old topo showing new bridge construction.

The project’s most significant accomplishment is the incorporation of a third roundabout introduced by the design-build team at the I-49 northbound ramps, East Outer Road and Main Street. We designed pavement marking, signing, traffic signal modifications and lighting improvements for the project on both the local roads, as well as the MoDOT highway system. New sections of sidewalk were also included in the project scope to provide more connectivity for pedestrians. The city also wanted to address the erosion issues happening along the corridor with the addition of enclosed storm sewer. 

The corridor improvements are boosting economic development, enhancing circulation and safety for all users, minimizing travel times and promoting multi-modal transportation.