Project Overview

MoDOT is studying how best to meet the current and future traffic needs of Route 45 from Interstate 435 east to Route 9.

A location study public meeting was held Thursday, May 25 from 4-7 p.m. at the Platte County Community Center South in Parkville, Mo. to gather input on Route 45's existing conditions. Topics included safety, traffic volume/speed, access, economic development, land use, environment, and quailty of life.

This meeting was the first step toward completion of the location study.  Once complete, this study will determine where and how improvements are made to the highway.

The location study to improve the Route 45 corridor from Interstate 435 east to Route 9 was made possible by voter approval of Amendment 3.  Approximately $25 million is budgeted for the design and construction of Route 45 improvements between Routes 9 and K. The project was identified as a statewide priority and added to MoDOT's 2006-2010 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) in July 2005.

Draft Purpose and Need for the Project

The Route 45 Environmental/Location Study from Interstate 435 to Route 9 is being undertaken to evaluate alternatives that would address capacity, system linkage, transportation demand, accommodation of economic development, safety and roadway deficiency concerns along the corridor through Platte County and the City of Parkville.

Basic Purpose of the Project

The basic purpose of the project is to identify a safe, efficient, environmentally sound, and economical transportation facility that meets the identified needs within the study corridor.

Basic Need for Project

The basic needs for the proposed improvements are as follows:

Capacity – Existing traffic volumes within the Route 45 corridor range from 7,000 vehicles per day (vpd) on the west end to 18,000 vpd on the east end.  These existing traffic volumes result in undesirable levels of service (LOS) at several intersections and in addition, the majority of the route segments between intersections are approaching undesirable levels of service.  Anticipated growth within the study area will increase the traffic volume on existing Route 45 to approximately 53,000 vpd by the year 2030 at the project’s eastern end.  This 2030 projected volume will exceed the capacity of a two-lane or a four-lane facility.

System Linkage – Route 45 is a critical link in this region of Platte County as one of two major east/west routes connecting Interstate 435 and Interstate 29.

Transportation Demand – Route 45, between Route 9 and Route K, has been identified as one of MoDOT’s Amendment 3 Major projects in its STIP.  Route 45 improvements are also included in MARC’s TIP, and are being endorsed by the City of Parkville and Platte County.

Accommodate Economic Development – Current and projected development within the study area will soon overburden the existing transportation system.  Developments along the corridor include expanded residential development at the National golf club community, continued development of the Thousand Oaks residential subdivision, continued commercial development at Parkville Commons, proposed residential/commercial development near Interstate 435, and miscellaneous other residential and commercial developments.

Safety – The accident rate for the Route 45 corridor is 26 percent higher than the statewide average accident rate for similar facility types.  The proposed improvements at the Route 45/Route K intersection will address 13 percent of the total corridor accidents.

Roadway Deficiencies – There are twelve (12) undesirable sag and crest vertical curves through the project area.  There is also over 5500’ of roadway with undesirable grades.  There are many sections of the existing route with limited site distance and inadequate shoulder widths.  In addition, there are approximately 89 access points and several of these points do not conform to MoDOT”s access management guidelines.

Access management involves the proper planning and design of points of access to the public roadway system. These points of access include interchanges, public road intersections, and driveways.