$46 million in county funding for 2025 roadway and stormwater system improvements approved

Two long-standing infrastructure programs that improve roadways and stormwater systems in Johnson County will receive more than $46 million for 2025, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners decided during its Oct. 10 meeting.

The County Assistance Road System, commonly known as CARS, will be allocated nearly $18.5 million to fund 16 projects in 13 cities in 2025. The Stormwater Management Program's 2025 plan, funded at around $27.8 million, includes 23 system assessment and replacement capital projects and three watershed improvements. Johnson County's Public Works department manages both programs.

"These vital programs serve the entire county by improving essential infrastructure and investing in flood-control efforts, which is particularly important as we continue to experience more frequent and intense rain events," said BOCC Chairman Mike Kelly. "The county values our partnerships with cities, and we are proud of the more than $740 million we have invested in these programs over the years. We look forward to collaborating with all levels of government to secure the funding needed for continued innovation as we serve our shared residents."

Bill Stogsdill, director of Public Works for the City of Fairway, represented his city and other northeast Johnson County cities at the board meeting. He said, "These programs are vital to the small communities in northeast Johnson County to maintain our major arterial network and our large stormwater infrastructure … [These programs] are the envy of the metropolitan area."

Nate Baldwin, city engineer for the City of Olathe, said he appreciated what CARS and the stormwater program have already accomplished. "Our fire chief has noted that there are a lot less rescue calls during significant rain events," he said. "We are not seeing the number of cars being washed off the road or stranded in high-water events."

CARS Program

A majority of the CARS Program projects (58% of the budget) is for maintenance of existing roads. Approximately 35% of the budget will go to increasing traffic capacity, and 7% will go to bridge replacement. The top three highest-funded projects for 2025 include:

• $3.75 million for improvement of Black Bob Road from 153rd Terrace to 159th Street in Olathe. This major project involves improving this section of Black Bob Road to a four-lane arterial roadway, complete with left and right turning lanes at each intersection. The project also includes new sidewalks, curbs and storm sewers and a bridge over Woodland Creek.
• $2.63 million for improvement of Quivira Road from 179th Street to 187th Streetin Overland Park. The existing two-lane asphalt road will be replaced by a concrete road with asphalt shoulders. Also a part of the project are a roundabout at 179th Street and a new bridge over Wolf Creek and Wolf Creek Tributary.
• $2.05 million for 95th Street from Renner Boulevard to Noland Road in Lenexa. This stretch of 95th Street will receive major maintenance and include sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, street lighting and storm sewer rehabilitation.

CARS funding comes from a combination of a revenue from a gas tax and county support. The CARS Technical Review Committee, including representation from Johnson County cities, reviewed the 2025 expenditures and made recommendations to the BOCC. The program funds up to 50% of a project's eligible construction and construction inspection costs. Cities are responsible for other project costs such as design, right-of-way and utility relocation.

Stormwater Management Program

The 2025 Stormwater Management Program is set at $27,775,000, including $4.92 million in program reserves that were previously allocated but were unspent. Of that total fund, about half will be earmarked for watershed improvement projects, including $10.25 million for flood-risk reduction projects. They include:

• Upper Turkey Creek stormwater improvements in Merriam.
• Phase 4 to stormwater improvements at 95th Street and Moody to 101st Street and Connell in Overland Park.
• Rock Creek stormwater improvements from Lamar to Nall Avenue in Mission.

The plan also allocates $10.25 million to system management projects and $3.625 million for planning and support projects. The 2025 expenditures fund projects focused on:

• Flood risk reduction
• Condition assessment and replacement of failing stormwater conveyance systems
• Voluntary home buyouts
• Water quality improvement and preservation projects
• Ongoing efforts including the countywide rain and stream gauge network and assistance to cities to meet the requirements of their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.

Thanks to a 1/10 of one percent sales tax dedicated to stormwater management and flood control projects, authorized by the Kansas Legislature in 1988 and approved by the BOCC, the SMP annually provides funds for stormwater planning, technical assistance and capital projects in Johnson County in partnership with our cities, and with other cities in the Kansas City region as part of the regional stormwater system. The sales tax allows the county to create an annual stormwater management plan and provide 50% of funding for eligible design and construction projects in the county and cities in Johnson County. The BOCC created the Stormwater Management Program in 1990 and the Stormwater Management Advisory Council in 1994. The council helps coordinate stormwater efforts and advises the board on stormwater management-related issues.

Details of 2025 CARS and SMP projects and programs are available at the Department of Public Works' website.

Projects from 2024 have been highlighted on the county's website and are available via the links below.

• Lackman Road mill and overlay
• Nall Avenue lane reduction
• Mission Road flood prevention

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