Black & Veatch Announces Completion of Johnson Drive and Roe Avenue Interchange Project

Overland Park, Kan. (April 19, 2004) – Black & Veatch today announced the completion of the Johnson Drive and Roe Interchange Project in the cities of Mission and Roeland Park, Kan. The project replaced an aging, substandard interchange that had become a constraint on effective transportation both to neighborhood communities and to the thriving retail sections of Mission. The new configuration incorporates a design that emphasizes ease of use, safety, attractiveness and effectiveness.

“The Johnson Drive and Roe Avenue intersection is a vital component of the roadway system in Johnson County and this project is a great benefit to the cities of Mission and Roeland Park,” said Black & Veatch Transportation Project Manager Kevin Harder. “Modifying the existing interchange with an at-grade intersection lowers the future maintenance costs for this section of roadway, reduces confusion some motorists experienced trying to navigate the old interchange configuration, improves safety with increased sight distances and reclaims valuable land for the cities in the areas of the former loop ramps.”

The most recent traffic counts taken on Roe Avenue yield a volume of 23,000 vehicles per day (vpd), while Johnson Drive has a volume of 20,000 vpd. The safety of these motorists will be enhanced by the new design, which reduces the number of conflict points motorists experience by eliminating numerous ramps and merges.

“Navigation through the area is now much simpler and serves both our residential and commercial citizens,” said Stephen Weeks, public works director for the city of Mission. “It demonstrates the commitment of the city and Black & Veatch to providing a driver-friendly environment that supports not only all of our citizens, but the many visitors we welcome on a daily basis to the Mission community.”

This project included the replacement of an existing partial cloverleaf interchange with an at-grade-signalized intersection; realignment and reconstruction of two intersecting four-lane divided roadways (Johnson Drive and Roe Avenue) totaling approximately 0.5 miles; design of traffic signals for the intersection; design of the enclosed storm sewer system; design of street lighting; design of traffic control and construction sequencing; relocation of gravity sanitary sewers; and relocation of a 24-inch sanitary force main.

The Johnson Drive and Roe Interchange Project takes its place alongside the Kansas City Scout project as high-profile improvements brought to the Kansas City transportation sector by Black & Veatch. The Scout advanced traffic management project monitors and manages approximately 75 miles of Kansas City’s most congested freeways. A joint undertaking by the Kansas and Missouri Departments of Transportation, it is one of the largest initial deployments of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) projects in the nation.

“By integrating our technical skills in the transportation arena with our commitment to the greater Kansas City community, Black & Veatch continues to Build a World of Difference right here at home,” said Harder.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch Corporation is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in the fields of energy, water and information. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch serves its clients with conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, information technology, environmental, security design and consulting, and management consulting services. The employee-owned company has more than 90 offices worldwide. Black & Veatch is ranked on the Forbes “500 Largest Private Companies in the U.S.” listing for 2003. The company’s Web site address is www.bv.com.

For more information, please contact:
Linda Heil
Communications Specialist
(913) 458-4629
Heilla@bv.com