Phase 1 of the Kansas Expressway Extension opened to the public on February 2, 2024. These photos were taken during the 5 p.m. rush hour on February 5, 2024. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)

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Not many drivers were using the Kansas Expressway Extension on its maiden Monday afternoon rush hour.

The road opened to traffic at 6 p.m. Feb. 2. It will likely take some time for commuters to get used to the new connection from Republic Road to Plainview Road just south of Springfield.

The Greene County Highway Department started planning a southern extension of Kansas Expressway in the 1980s. The idea truly took shape in the 2000s. The contract for Phase 1 of the Kansas Expressway extension was awarded at $15.7 million. The project is funded by Greene County, the City of Springfield and federal transportation funds.

Phase 1 of the Kansas Expressway Extension seen looking north from Weaver Road toward Republic Road and U.S. Highway 60 in Springfield. Kansas Avenue can be seen running north and south on the right side of the photograph. A community pool at the north end of South Sydney Avenue sits just west of the expressway extension. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)

The corridor is constructed in a “parkway” style, with speed limits of 40 mph. The right-of-way for the corridor is wide enough for the Kansas Expressway Extension to eventually be made into a four lane road.

The second phase of the project will extend Kansas Expressway south from Plainview Road, turn west just north of the James River and end at Farm Road 190, known farther north as Cox Avenue. When it’s done, Kansas Expressway will be 2.3 miles longer than the original.

Phase 1 of the Kansas Expressway Extension, seen looking toward the south from Republic Road. The parking lot for the Gene Taylor Veterans Clinic can be seen on the lower left corner of the photo. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)

Emery Sapp and Sons, the firm awarded the contract for Phase 1 of the extension, has also been selected as the contractor for Phase 2. Work on the second phase has already begun and is set to be completed in late 2025, according to Greene County Highway Department Assistant Administrator Mark Webb.

Phase 1 of the Kansas Expressway Extension, seen looking toward the south from Republic Road. The Gene Taylor Veterans Clinic can be seen on left side of the photo. To the south of the clinic, four lanes of traffic consolidate into two lanes. (Photo by Bruce Stidham)



Rance Burger

Rance Burger is the managing editor for the Daily Citizen. He previously covered local governments from February 2022 to April 2023. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with 17 years experience in journalism. Reach him at rburger@hauxeda.com or by calling 417-837-3669. Twitter: @RanceBurger More by Rance Burger