Then and Now: Spotlight on Homestead Lane and 207th Street

When we first began work on the Homestead Lane and 207th Street Improvements project, we knew the City of Edgerton, Kansas had big plans for the community. Their strategy was to transform an existing gravel roadway into a four-lane, divided, concrete arterial road and pave the way for new business. Together, we delivered those dreams, driving economic change for this growing community.

In 2018, Kubota, an international manufacturer, had approached the City about expanding their warehouses. They wanted to add three million square feet of new facilities using a phased approach. Based on the City’s projections, they knew the existing gravel roadway wouldn’t be sufficient. While this need drove the project, Edgerton was thinking bigger. They knew the improvements would open another corridor for expansion and bring new jobs to the surrounding community.

Through this partnership, we expanded the existing gravel roadway to a four-lane divided arterial with enclosed storm sewer, a 65-foot-span precast arch bridge over the Big Bull Creek tributary, a 10-foot trail, and street lighting. We also realigned Homestead Lane to connect 207th Street to I-35. Due to cost savings, we were able to design and construct the Waverly Road intersection in addition to the planned improvements.

When asked why this award-winning project was successful, Kristen Leathers-Gratton, PE, Transportation Practice Leader and Project Manager for this effort, said, “There was a high level of trust between the contractor, our team, and the City. Together, we had the perfect balance. The City had a great vision. Affinis designed a solution to make that possible, and the contractor seamlessly executed the plans.”

Since making the improvements, Hostess built a warehouse in the area, bringing growth to the east. Kubota upped their investment in Edgerton and left space to add a third building in the future, while Simmons Pet Food constructed a warehouse to the east of the project site.

“Without these improvements, the City of Edgerton, Kansas, wouldn’t have been able to support the truck traffic needed for these operations. By creating a four-lane divided arterial, they can now provide safe access to drivers moving goods in and out of the area and continue to organically build out this part of their community,” said Leathers-Gratton.

In addition to warehousing logistics, the City sought to enhance this area with other services for nearby workers. On the west side of the Homestead interchange, they have added a new travel plaza with amenities, and a second travel plaza is underway. Encouraging residential subdivision developments, investing in park improvements, and building a new community center, Greenspace, are other examples of Edgerton’s focus on building a community. In fact, the City of Edgerton has grown outside of this logistics hub. With increased tax revenue, they have created a capital improvement program (CIP), which will reinvest in streets and stormwater infrastructure for the next five years.

“The City has been very intentional in developing this area. Their plan is to add businesses that specifically support the logistics hub and residents’ quality of life. They are making Edgerton a desirable place to live and work,” said Leathers-Gratton.

Take a look at this video, which was filmed shortly after the project was completed.