The purpose of this Agreement is to coordinate the participation by the City and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission with respect to the improvements to capacity, operations, and turn lane improvements at the Interstate 70 and Little Blue Pkwy interchange. The agreement outlines project and financial responsibilities with respect to the interchange improvements.

Funding was approved in June 2022 for appropriation in Fiscal Year 2024 by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for a cost share project with the City of Independence. The cost share funding will utilize Street Sales Tax funds designated for the project as the City's 50% match for the project. This project is being designed and constructed in cooperation with / apart of the development agreement with Northpoint KC’s Eastgate project. The scope of services for this project consists of  (1) lengthening the left turn lane and adding an additional right turn lane and left turn lane on WB I-70 exit ramp at Little Blue Pkwy; (2) adding a dedicated northbound right turn lane at the intersection of I-70 EB and Little Blue Pkwy; (3) removing the median on the bridge, restriping for 11-foot lanes and accommodating dual NB and SB left turn lanes on the bridge; (4) Adding a second EB right turn lane on I-70 EB exit ramp to receive the dual left turns; and (5) Adding an advance left turn lane on SB Little Blue Pkwy at I-70 WB exit ramp.

The fiscal impact to the City will be $1,732,500.00 (a 50% share of the estimated project cost) and should be paid a minimum of 5 days prior to the construction letting date. Project costs above $3,465,000.00 shall be the responsibility of the City as outlined in the Financial Responsibilities of the agreement.

The Ordinance would approve a Cost Share Agreement with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission.