By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
Feb. 23, 2011

A Lochner survey crew didn’t let dense fog hamper their job of surveying Independence Avenue and Benton Boulevard in Historic Northeast Feb. 16.

Although the design firm BWR received notice to begin surveying the intersection in January, Kansas City’s snow accumulation temporarily halted the project.

“Until we had the snow melt this week, we really weren’t able to get out there,” Charles Schwinger, vice president of BWR, said.

Lochner completed their survey of the intersection last week, and the findings will be sent to BWR engineers who will turn the data into an initial design.

Currently, the intersection of Independence and Benton has offset north and south streets, which leaves a gaping intersection. It also poses problems for pedestrians and traffic.

The City of Kansas City hired BWR to re-design the intersection and Schwinger said BWR plans to use concrete channelized islands to redirect traffic. The plan also includes a modern traffic signal with pedestrian push buttons and streetscaping, he said.

If construction bids are low enough, the plan will also include repairing other intersections west of Independence and Benton that need general maintenance like street lights and pedestrian lights replaced, he said.

Intersection time line

BWR will submit a 60 percent-finished construction document to the city by the end of March.

Schwinger said the document will give a rough idea of the new intersection layout and allows city entities, like the parks and recreation department and public works department, to review the plan and submit changes.

Following the review process, the plans will be finalized by mid to late summer, Schwinger said.

Then, the city will go out on bids for construction of the intersection and BWR will oversee the work.

“We’re just excited that the project is moving forward and that the people of the community will be able to get a good improvement project out of this,” Schwinger said.

An H.W. Lochner, Inc. crew surveys the intersection of Benton Boulevard and Independence Avenue Feb. 16 for the redesign project. Pictured above are technician Derek Kistler, left, and Dave Kneubuhl, survey crew chief. Leslie Collins