Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City has effectively resurfaced almost 1,500 lane miles of road since the fiscal year 2021–2022, therefore attesting to a major milestone in the continuous Street Preservation Program of the city. This achievement marks 25% of all the roads in the city completed, therefore confirming Kansas City’s dedication to enhance the daily travel and general quality of living for its residents.
The city, which runs over 6,000 lane miles over six districts, has given road safety and infrastructure first priority. The city has already resurfaced 338 roadway miles, moving gradually toward its target as of the current fiscal year 2024–2025.
Kansas City has taken a creative step by employing cutting-edge technology to improve its efforts at street preservation. The city methodically analyzes road conditions using cameras, lasers, and other asset management tools placed on vehicles. By helping to identify potholes, cracks, and other flaws, this technology helps the city to effectively prioritize which roadways demand immediate attention, therefore optimizing the use of public resources.
Apart from technical developments, Kansas City is leading the way in road building by using environmentally friendly materials. Under the creative “Trash to Roads” program, the city is repaving neighborhood roads with materials like plastics and tires taken from recyclable trash. This method not only helps to direct garbage from landfills but also improves pavement longevity, therefore lowering maintenance costs and supporting a more robust supply chain.
The program is currently testing three different asphalt mixes, each containing a 0.5% additive of either recycled tires, plastics, or a combination of both. These polymers are supposed to improve the asphalt’s binding capacity, consequently lowering the possibility of rutting and cracking under everyday traffic’s load.
Complementing its resurfacing initiatives, Kansas City has also concentrated on enhancing road safety by installing 115 speed humps meant to ease traffic. Using data-driven approaches to choose ideal locations, this project comprises the carefully planned placement of two new speed humps in regions with long-standing traffic safety issues.
Kansas City has tightened responsibility for street excavations to preserve the integrity of recently resurfaced roads. Working closely with utilities, the city guarantees that any required cuts into recently resurfaced pavement are quickly followed by thorough repairs encompassing a whole lane for an entire block. This method guarantees that repairs satisfy the best criteria of durability and quality.
Kansas City has started major changes in 2021 to handle postponed maintenance problems influencing its streets. Using an innovative asset management solution has not only improved the funding allocated annually for street resurfacing but also the efficiency of maintenance activities. Moreover, changes in the way the contract is executed now let contracts be signed fall instead of spring. This deliberate shift gives contractors enough time to plan and carry out more effective resurfacing operations during the next work season.
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These all-encompassing policies highlight the determination to guarantee better and safer roads for all residents as Kansas City keeps making progress in its street preservation initiatives setting a benchmark for urban infrastructure management.
Visit KCMO.gov/streets to learn more about the Street Preservation Program.
