Olathe, KS – In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Olathe City Council approved the acceptance of up to $18.7 million in Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) funding to build a bypass route for trucks traveling between K‑10 and College Boulevard. The money will be used to construct a two‑lane road that diverts semitrailers away from Lone Elm Road, which runs adjacent to Olathe Northwest High School, Prairie Trail Middle School and Meadow Lane Elementary.
Council’s Stance Remains Critical
While the council agreed to take the state money, members made clear they still consider the proposed K‑10/Lone Elm interchange a “dumb idea” and a misuse of taxpayer dollars. Councilmember Matthew Schoonover asked, “So we can think that this interchange is a dumb idea, is a waste of money, and still vote yes to get KDOT’s money to mitigate the risks that we perceive from this dumb idea?”
What the Bypass Will Include
The bypass will feature turn lanes, sidewalks, streetlights and storm‑water infrastructure, creating a safer alternative for trucks that currently use Lone Elm Road to reach the Aldi distribution center at K‑10 and K‑7. The design firm HNTB, based in Kansas City, has been contracted for up to $1.04 million to develop preliminary plans and identify the necessary land.
Interchange Still Planned
Despite the council’s opposition, KDOT intends to move forward with the interchange, which will turn Lone Elm into a four‑lane divided roadway and add two new lanes off K‑10. Engineers have described the interchange as a “pressure relief valve” to accommodate rapid growth and increasing traffic volumes in the region.
Regional Context
The interchange is part of a larger $1.2 billion K‑10 expansion project spanning 16.5 miles through De Soto, Lenexa and Olathe. Lenexa has already secured a $16 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and earmarked $8 million from its 2026‑2030 Capital Improvement Program for the project. Lenexa Mayor Julie Sayers said the grant will improve safety, provide direct access for Olathe‑district students and support decades of economic development.
Local Concerns Over Safety and Growth
Olathe officials and residents worry that the interchange will place additional traffic, including trucks, near school zones and pedestrian pathways. The three Olathe schools sit within roughly one mile of the proposed site, and Manchester Park Elementary in Lenexa is less than two miles away. Councilmembers have repeatedly asked KDOT to consider an overpass instead of an interchange to keep traffic off Lone Elm Road.
Funding and Timeline
KDOT has agreed to cover the full cost of the bypass, estimated at $18.7 million, while Olathe will not contribute any funds. Construction on the interchange is slated to begin in 2027 and finish by 2030; the bypass route’s land acquisition and utility relocation are expected to start in 2027, with construction slated for 2028.
Looking Ahead
The council’s decision reflects a pragmatic approach: accepting state resources to mitigate safety risks while continuing to voice opposition to a project they believe does not serve Olathe’s best interests. As the region grows, the balance between infrastructure development and protecting families and children remains a central concern for local leaders.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
