RAISE Design Planning Meeting Held at Library by Excelsior Springs City and Chamber of Commerce

On Wednesday, April 9, a planning meeting was held at noon at the Mid-Continent Public Library to advance final design discussions for the RAISE grant infrastructure project focused on improving North Jesse James Road (Route 10) between Price Chopper and Chuck Anderson Ford.

Led by TranSystems engineers and city staff, the session emphasized upcoming changes that will reduce the number of driveways and entry points from 35 to 22 along the corridor—an effort expected to significantly improve traffic safety, reduce crash points, and enhance pedestrian access. The project includes major upgrades like sidewalk and trail additions, traffic signal updates, roundabouts, and railroad crossing improvements, covering roughly 9 miles of infrastructure enhancements.

Preliminary traffic studies and crash data showed frequent accidents throughout the stretch—not just at intersections—underscoring the need for better access management.

With updated design plans on display, attendees were encouraged to review and provide feedback. Next steps include right-of-way planning, traffic sequencing strategies, environmental clearances, and preparing a request for qualifications from design-build teams to carry the project forward.