A proposed bridge project has groups of neighbors frustrated at city leaders and voicing both safety and noise concerns.
The $920,000 project calls for a bridge to link 5th Terrace and Bordner Drive, cutting through a creek and green space area popular amongst some of the local children.
“The wildlife down here, the quiet. It's something that everybody loves,” explained Laura Melton, who lives near the area where the bridge would be built. “It's a safe place for children to play. That’s going to change. It's all going to change."
Melton has helped lead an effort to voice opposition to city leaders regarding the construction plan.
The “Timbers Edge Lee’s Summit” Facebook group, with over 70 members as of Tuesday, has served as a message board for residents to raise concerns over the plan.
Other neighbors have also attended city meetings to make leaders aware of the issues.
Aside from changing the popular creek and green space, Melton told 41 Action News that the extra traffic could lead to safety concerns with children who live in the area and walk to nearby Prairie View Elementary School.
“Kids are kids. Unless a parent is walking with them, they're going to be kids and accidents happen,” explained Melton. “With this bridge, the increase in traffic the kids aren't going to get to play out in front."
Melton claimed that many of her neighbors moved to the area thinking no construction project would change the surroundings.
With the proposed bridge project, she said the construction would transform the quiet neighborhood.
“We don't see it as a livability issue because it's going to decrease the quality of life of those of us who are used to the quiet,” Melton explained.
The mother also raised issues with the lack of communication from the city regarding the project.
“They knocked on our doors saying 'We need to get in your yard so we can measure for surveying purposes to build a bridge.' That's how we found out,” she explained.
On Tuesday, 41 Action News spoke with the city’s public works department about the project.
City Traffic Engineer Michael Park said by linking the dead-end roads, access around Lee’s Summit would be improved.
“It provides additional opportunities for these residents within this square mile to reach a variety of our major thoroughfares,” he explained.
Park added that building the bridge could also lead to faster emergency response times.
“If you happen to reside on the north side of the bridge without the bridge structure in place, you're about a mile and a half from the nearest ER. With this bridge, you're less than three-quarters of a mile from the nearest ER,” he explained. “You cut off anywhere from 45 seconds to a minute and a half. In some situations, that minute is very important."
On top of improving access and emergency times, Park said the bridge could better link the city’s sidewalk network and improve bikeway and greenway routes.
The future of the project remains uncertain and the City Council Public Works Committee continues to discuss the plans. City Council will have the ultimate say on the project.
Moving forward, Laura Melton hoped city leaders would listen to her neighborhood’s concerns.
“I'd be heartbroken,” she said. “This is a good green space and it's a great place for the kids.”
