Metcalf Avenue Preliminary Engineering Study

Adopted in 2008, the city of Overland Park’s Vision Metcalf Plan provides a long-range vision to improve the Metcalf Avenue corridor, a major north-south connector through Kansas’ second largest city. A 2018 status report identified the need for a preliminary engineering study along 1.2 miles of Metcalf Avenue from 83rd to 74th street. This corridor carries nearly 40,000 vehicles per day near downtown Overland Park. It presents limited right of way, features abundant utilities and lacks safe facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists. The city selected TREKK to complete this study. 

The study considered how the city’s adopted 110-foot typical section would impact this urban corridor and its adjacent businesses and residential properties, as well as surrounding streets. The typical section widens Metcalf to include a grassy median, new curb and gutter and wider sidewalks on both sides separated from the road by tree lawns. TREKK’s analysis determined the right of way and easement acquisitions and utility relocations necessary to implement this section and estimated the total construction cost of the project. We collaborated with the city’s Public Works and Planning staff to evaluate access management techniques to be applied to the corridor.

TREKK used traditional and mobile LiDAR survey to evaluate existing conditions and coordinated with numerous utility owners throughout the corridor. Using our Miovision cameras, we collected traffic data at key locations along the project limits to determine where turn lanes are necessary. TREKK also completed a sight distance analysis at each intersection. These tools helped TREKK provide data-driven recommendations for consolidating or closing driveways and limiting intersection access.

The final deliverable to the city included preliminary design plans for Metcalf Avenue improvements, as well as all traffic data collected and a report detailing all findings and recommendations. TREKK is currently helping the city implement two of the projects recommended in the study –  realigning Marty Street with 82nd Street at Metcalf and designing a new traffic signal at the 77th and Metcalf intersection. Both of these projects will improve traffic flow, safety and pedestrian connectivity.