Kansas City, Missouri – Springtime in Kansas City not only brings nicer weather but also an explosion of street activity as the city starts a major resurfacing project meant to improve 400 lane miles of road throughout 2025. Aiming at the city’s demand for safer and smoother traffic, this huge project is part of a continuous effort that has seen over 1,500 lane miles renovated since 2021.
Mayor Quinton Lucas underlined that the goal is not only to fix potholes, which he said are not unavoidable but rather indicators of declining infrastructure.
“Potholes are not acts of God, but instead the result of poor infrastructure and planning,” Mayor Lucas said. He highlighted the city’s plan to target major roads such as Broadway, part of an overarching strategy to improve high-traffic areas and residential neighborhoods across all six Council districts.
The resurfacing campaign kicked off with teams already mobilizing and will continue throughout the year. Using advanced pavement analysis tools and asset management software, Kansas City has adopted a data-driven strategy to give these initiatives top priority. Rather than only reacting to the number of complaints or the length of the roadways, this technology identifies the most important places for intervention depending on several criteria, including pavement condition.
Among the key arterial roads this year are Broadway Boulevard, E 12th Street, Troost Avenue, Ward Parkway, and The Paseo. Though the list of projects is dynamic and could change depending real-time road condition evaluations, these important places are anticipated to undergo notable changes.
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Relying on a high-tech survey vehicle that scans every city block to assess the degree of surface deterioration including cracks and weathering, the selection procedure for street upgrades is complex. The city’s asset management system then incorporates this data to help create a carefully prioritized resurfacing plan. The procedure guarantees that every project is both required and doable by taking into account utility company input, engineering evaluations, and available funds.
“Kansas City is delivering on its promise to improve infrastructure through smart investment, data-driven decisions, and equity. By focusing on the condition of our streets-not just their location-we’re making sure every part of our city sees progress. This work isn’t just about pavement, but safety, quality of life, and pride in our neighborhoods,” said Interim City Manager, Kimiko Gilmore.
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Apart from conventional resurfacing, Kansas City is implementing creative ideas in its public works initiatives. One such project, the “Trash to Roads” program, tests recycled materials including tires and plastics in pavement to prolong its life and reduce waste. Moreover, in accordance with the SR-1 policy, the city requires a comprehensive resurfacing following any utility work requiring cuts into recently paved streets to preserve street quality and minimize future disruptions.
Plans also call for 60 new speed humps to be installed as part of more general traffic calming efforts to improve citywide safety.
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Residents who want to see maps of planned improvements or who want more thorough knowledge on the resurfacing program may go to the city’s official website at KCMO.gov/streets, where interactive tools and updates are easily accessible.
