Aging Leawood Neighborhood Poses Unique Design Challenges

To maintain a high quality of life, the City of Leawood continually reinvests in their infrastructure as part of their Residential Street Reconstruction Program. Each year, they select a set of streets that are most in need. The 2023 project site spans three locations and over 3,00 linear feet: 97th Place between Mission and Ensley, Ensley Lane North from 91st to 93rd, and Ensley Lane from the City limits to Ensley Lane South Cul-De-Sac.

Our survey team was first on site. They conducted a topographic survey and evaluated the right-of-way. While there, they discovered discrepancies, which we accounted for in our solution.

For this effort, we reconstructed the roadway and made significant stormwater improvements. We added a trunk line to 97th Place on the north side under the curb to reduce roadway flooding, while minimizing the impacts to residents. We also added a new system to the redesigned intersection at Ensley Lane and W. 98th Street.

A team effort, this project involved a variety of Affinis service groups. In addition to our roadway, survey, and stormwater teams, it also included our structural and traffic groups The structural team designed custom inlets for the project, because the size and type needed wasn’t standard. Along with these changes, our traffic team evaluated the existing Y intersection at Ensley Lane and W. 98th Street and weighed in on traffic control and the design of a new, city-owned, LED street lighting system.

The City aimed to enhance driver safety by redesigning the intersection at Ensley Lane and 98th Street. Our traffic team assessed the existing Y intersection along with three alternative designs. After careful evaluation, we determined the most effective solution was to reduce the radii at Ensley Lane, converting it into a true T intersection with W. 98th Street.

This established, residential area posed several design challenges. To begin, the street width varied along 97th Place. We were tasked with returning it to Leawood’s standard width throughout, which is 26 feet of pavement from curb to curb.

The existing cross slopes on Ensley posed another challenge for our design team. To minimize disruption to the neighborhood, we aimed to reduce the amount of grading required. We opted to deviate from standard specifications in some locations to better accommodate the existing conditions and facilitate a smoother transition with driveways. This design enhances driver safety by allowing for better speed control and maintaining a consistent driving path.

Additionally, this mature area is characterized by established trees. The city and residents wanted to leave as many untouched as possible. Our team was able to save all but one. Not only was this strategy important to homeowners, it offered environmental benefits.

Gathering input from residents is particularly important to Leawood. Initially, the city planned to add sidewalk as part of the project. Their plan was to work towards creating a continuous pathway to Brookwood Elementary School. They surveyed residents to gauge their interest in this addition. Ultimately, homeowners declined the offer, and this was removed from the scope.

By reinvesting in neighborhoods like this one, the City of Leawood continues to move their community forward. They look for input from residents, taking cues on new amenities and preservation from their constituents. Currently under construction, these improvements will not only increase safety, but also protect the value of local homes.