Kansas City M0. Mayor Sly James said Tuesday afternoon that resurfacing roads around the city could begin as early as next month thanks to the overwhelming passage of Question 1 in the August election.
Holding up a colorful “Thank You Kansas City” sign filled with signatures of those who worked on the campaign, the mayor said, “You’re going to see these signs all over the place when it comes to spending the money the citizens allocated for these projects on August 7, and we’re going to make sure people know we’re putting their tax dollars to work.”
Routes that are the most travelled will be resurfaced first, officials said. Public Works Director Sherri McIntyre said topping the list are: Wornall Road from Gregory to 79th Street and from 96th to Ward Parkway, 9th Street from Grand to Charlotte, Bannister from Raytown Road to Norfleet, and Shoal Creek Parkway from 76th to Highway 152.
A total of 30 miles will be fixed in this first phase, said Russ Johnson, chairman of the city council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, also chair of the “pothole commission,” as he called it.
“We’re going to get more asphalt down on the ground this fall, and you will be noticing a difference on the streets you drive every day," said Johnson.
The city is advancing itself $3 million in order to get started on the construction right away, even though the new tax won’t actually take effect until January. The money will come in, said City Manager Troy Schulte, before the end of the April 30th fiscal year. “It will all come out in the wash,” Schulte said.
Voters approved Question 1 by almost a 2 to 1 margin. It eliminated a number of fees and taxes and replaced them with the one half-cent sales tax. The new sales tax has no end date and will create over $7 million for street maintenance and parks.
