On September 1, the Olathe City Council got its first look at the design concepts for the major overhaul of Santa Fe Street and the I‑35 interchange. City staff presented a plan that blends functional upgrades with aesthetic touches, aiming to create a more welcoming gateway between the interstate and downtown Olathe.
Project scope and funding
The $200 million project is the largest infrastructure undertaking in Olathe’s history. The city will fund $40 million, while the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will provide the remaining $160 million. The redesign includes new bridges, pavement reconstruction, lane widening, road realignments, upgraded signals, medians, sidewalks and streetlights.
Design highlights
Assistant City Engineer Therese Vink explained that the interchange’s visual identity is meant to focus attention on Santa Fe Street rather than the experience of driving under it. A wave motif will run across the overhead signal structure and continue down its supports, echoing on retaining walls and visible portions of the bridge. The bridge itself will feature a double‑helix pattern modeled after the decorative fencing used along 119th Street.
Landscaping will be concentrated around the interchange, with medians at least 18 feet wide planted with trees and narrower medians featuring smaller shrubs. Brick‑patterned concrete will mimic downtown streets, reinforcing a sense of place.
Pedestrian improvements
The rebuilt corridor will add a 10‑foot‑wide sidewalk on the north side of Santa Fe and a 5‑foot‑wide sidewalk on the south side, extending from Ridgeview to Mur‑Len roads. Vink noted that the sidewalks are positioned as far from traffic lanes as possible, with decorative brick and landscaping serving as additional barriers.
When Councilmember Matthew Schoonover asked whether the city should be encouraging more foot traffic through such a busy intersection, Vink clarified, “We are not trying to increase pedestrian traffic. We are simply providing a safe method for them to get across that happens to be a lot prettier than it is today.” Councilmember Kevin Deneault urged the city to consider further measures to make the route more inviting for walkers and cyclists. In response, the design includes standard streetlights and additional lighting beneath the bridge barriers to illuminate the pedestrian pathway.
Roadway enhancements
KDOT will add auxiliary lanes to I‑35 between Santa Fe and 119th Street, reconstruct portions of the interstate and widen the Old 56 Highway bridge to accommodate two lanes. These improvements are intended to improve traffic flow while preserving the aesthetic goals of the project.
Timeline
Construction is slated to begin later this year, with the city and KDOT working together to keep the project on schedule and within budget. Residents can expect a phased construction approach designed to minimize disruption to daily commutes.
The redesign reflects Olathe’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports both mobility and community pride, aligning with the city’s broader vision of a vibrant, family‑friendly downtown.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
