Roger Harrison
Leavenworth
To the editor:
I had the occasion to speak with Leavenworth County Commission Chairman J.C. Tellefson about the road project priorities. My first impression was, is he crazy, but after finding out the facts I realized that the plan he was supporting made sense.
We, are beholding to Missouri for the other half of the project, and according to Mr. Tellefson, Platte County sees the expansion of the Centennial Bridge and Highway 92 to I-29 as project number 3 for 40 plus million. So that means we could expand the bridge to four lanes but still have only two lanes of highway on the Missouri side, so what have we gained? The idea of the K5 project would hookup I-435 to US 73 thus the need for a new bridge would be mute. I have heard that the cost for this plan is also estimated at $40 plus million. The advantage we would gain, would be a connection to I-435 without depending on Missouri.
Additionally, I have been told that we have lost a Fortune 400 company, to Missouri because we could not provide expedient access to Kansas City. Also, the Missouri side is more interested in improving the Highway 45 corridor, and their infrastructure. Let us look at what we can do on our own, cooperation is a great exercise but it takes "two to tango" and it seems to me that the other potential partner is reluctant to dance.
If my facts are correct, I would ask the commissioners to research this new proposal and see if my opinion holds water, no pun intended.
