OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (KCTV) – As part of the 69Express project, 119th Street between Grant Street and Farley/Three Lakes Parkway and the ramps to US 69 in Overland Park were closed Friday for the next 60 days.
“We’re closing the fourth ramp,” said Steve Rockers, 69Express’ project manager. “The other three ramps are already closed. That starts the clock for the next 60 days. We’re closing the road to make big changes, and that’s a short, intense period of time to get that done. Given the amount of work involved, it’s about as fast as we can get it done.”
The diversion plan and further information about the closure can be found here.
“When it’s all finished, it will be very modern and there will be a new bridge,” Rockers said. “It will be a longer, safer bridge. The ramps will be configured.”
Highland Plaza is located at the intersection of Grant and 119th streets. Some shop owners say that although they have been spoken to about the project and the closure, there are still concerns that it could affect business.
“There’s no question about it,” said Zubair Shah, owner of Kababesh Grill. “It’s also causing us a lot of problems because we can’t manage our financial situation due to the loss of business. Customers have had trouble coming here. This will have a big impact on the business here.”
Others say it is already happening.
“We’ve been feeling it in the last month or so because they started closing this site and that site,” said Salah Harzi, manager of Sahara Mediterranean. “It started to hurt. I had to lay off a few employees and business is now only 50% of what it was before.”
Some business owners are hoping for more support from the city and KDOT, such as compensation for lost revenue.
Rockers admits that 60 days is a long wait, but it’s the fastest way they can get the job done.
“We know these types of closures will impact businesses and we don’t take that lightly,” Rockers said. “We’ve met with all the businesses; they’re aware of that. We’re working with them to put up special signs.”
While waiting for these signs, companies would like to remind everyone that 119th Grant St. may be closed, but Highland Plaza is still open.
“Please come here and take an extra 10 minutes to turn around and come back,” Harzi said. “This will help all local businesses that are getting through the tough times until the end of the year.”
For more information about the road closures as part of the 69Express project, click here.
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