OPINION|
At the end of the day on Friday, June 7, I decided to go for a drive. I chose the Kansas Expressway Extension.
I wanted to see what traffic was like during the afternoon rush hour in Springfield, or at least what I thought was rush hour in Springfield. I wanted to see if this 1.6-mile stretch of new roadway was doing what designers thought it would do. The goal was to ease north-south traffic and take pressure off Campbell Avenue.
I realize this is just one person's endeavor on one particular day. I was interested in making this drive because Phase I of the extension opened Feb. 2; I was curious about traffic conditions.
Let me know in the comments if your driving experience on Kansas Expressway Extension is different from mine.
In summary, Kansas Extension was smooth sailing
I had never driven the extension during what might be considered rush hour. I live in east Springfield.
I made the assumption that rush hour on a non-holiday Friday in Springfield would be about 5 p.m.
If that's not what you consider rush hour, let me know. If need be, I could try this again.
In fact, after writing most of this column, I received a call from Adam Humphrey, administrator of the Greene County Highway Department.
5 p.m. is not rush hour on a Friday in Springfield.
One of the unique things about Springfield traffic patterns, Humphrey says, is that on Fridays the afternoon rush hour is more like 3 p.m.
Oh well.
In summary, it was smooth sailing. Traffic on both streets moved well. It was not a problem.
When I say that, I realize there are likely to be readers who will tell me I'm wrong because they have had horrible experiences and some will perhaps conclude I'm soft on county traffic officials because — I don't know — they give me free asphalt.
Speed limit 40 mph, one lane in each direction
I would describe traffic on the extension during my “rush hour” experience as light. The roadway is one-lane in each direction with a speed limit of 40 mph. There's one stop sign. I covered the distance in 2 minutes and 45 seconds.
I quickly turned around and drove north on the extension, back to Republic Road and went the one mile east to Campbell Avenue. I turned onto Campbell at 5:22 p.m. Friday.
Traffic was thicker on Campbell than on the extension, but moving well. There are four stop lights as you head south. Unlike the extension, commercial development borders Campbell just south of Republic Road.
On the other hand, there are more lanes on Campbell, three in each direction, and a higher speed limit of 60 mph.
It took me 4 minutes to go the same distance, which I covered in two minutes and 45 seconds on the Kansas Extension.
Neither drive had any traffic backups.
Phase II should be finished in late 2025
Humphrey tells me he is pleased with the results of the Kansas Extension.
“It has performed well, so far,” he says. “We're happy with the job the contractor did.”
An April traffic count showed 7,000 vehicles per day on the extension. The anticipated count, when Phase II is finished in late 2025, is 17,000.
Humphrey believes there will be a significant jump in use when it's completed.
Actually, he says, the extension has had a greater impact on reducing traffic on Cox Road than on Campbell Avenue. Cox Road is much a north-south road that is closer to the extension.
The second and final phase of the extension will go 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 the second phase is complete, Kansas Expressway will be 2.3 miles longer.
What's been biggest surprise?
Humphrey didn't expect the popularity among runners, bikers and walkers of the multi-use path on the east side of the Kansas Extension.
There is no exact count on recreational users, he says, but every time he drives the extension, he sees people using the path.
Emery Sapp and Sons, the firm awarded the $15.7 million contract for Phase 1, has also been selected as the contractor for Phase 2. Work is set to be completed in late September 2025.
The Greene County Highway Department started planning a southern extension of Kansas Expressway in the 1980s. The project is funded by Greene County, the City of Springfield and the federal government.
This is Pokin Around column No. 191.
