WESTWOOD, Kan. — A new city program could soon be putting streets in one Kansas City area on a "road diet."
City officials in Westwood, Kansas, are considering reducing 47th Street from four lanes to three.
"With that would be the opportunity to incorporate either bicycle lanes or on-street parking, or more enhanced pedestrian facilities with wider sidewalks along through the area," City Administrative Officer Fred Sherman said.
Engineers are looking at the area between Mission Road and Rainbow Boulevard.
Besides the so-called "road diet," city officials are also discussing the need for wider sidewalks and bike lanes.
"If we could help contribute to the overall health of the population by encouraging walking and biking, and it's something that we can afford, than why no?" Westwood Police Chief Greg O'Halloran asked.
Curbs and gutters will need maintenance in the future. Before beginning work, the city wanted to address changing up the routine.
"It's worth this process and time to kind of ask the question 'What if we did it a little differently, and if we did it differently, what kind of changes would people like to see and consider for this corridor?'" Sherman said.
The public is invited to attend an open house at City Hall on Tuesday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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