Complete Streets: Connections for all Lenexans

Complete Streets are a network of infrastructure – including a blend of roadways, trails, bike lanes and sidewalks – that create comfortable, safe, efficient connections for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users. These enhancements should fit the community’s unique needs and consider all potential users.

In summer of 2018, the City of Lenexa began working with a team of consultants from Olsson in partnership with Toole Design and Venice Communications to prepare a Complete Streets Plan that will help to guide future transportation infrastructure improvements. With the help of a steering committee and advisory committee, the planning team studied the city’s existing conditions and infrastructure network and the results of previous studies and planning efforts.

Public input also played a vital role in the process. Two public workshops, focus groups, online exercises and a statistically valid community survey all helped to shape the plan’s recommendations.

A draft Complete Streets Plan was presented to the Lenexa Governing Body for review on Sept. 10, 2019 and the plan was accepted during the Dec. 17, 2019 meeting.

The plan’s recommendations will be used as a guide for planning future infrastructure enhancements and capital improvement projects.



View the final Complete Streets Report

Complete Streets Plan Appendix

About the Complete Streets Plan

The Complete Streets Plan establishes three key priorities:

1: Provide access and connectivity

2: Improve safety and comfort

3: Encourage a culture of walking and biking

The plan complements Lenexa’s extensive existing system of multi-use paths with a mix of short-term and long-term improvements to both infrastructure and city policy.

These are planning-level networks only. Further engineering analysis must be completed for final completion and design of the facility types and locations. If during implementation it becomes clear that a parallel route or alternative facility type is preferable, that alternative should be studied and implemented instead.

Enhancements to the transportation system would be completed in phases, and many can be incorporated into other capital improvement projects for efficiency and cost savings. For example, when a road is schedule to receive a new surface treatment, city leaders may choose to fill in gaps in the sidewalk network, add bicycle signage and improve crosswalks at intersections as part of that project to save time and funding.

Recommended Bicycle Network

View complete list of recommended bicycle facilities

The bicycle network was developed to accomplish several key principles and goals:

Affirm and build upon the existing and previously planned network within Lenexa (assuming all previously planned trails will be installed).

Ensure full connectivity and continuity between network segments and destinations, especially in areas of higher conflict with vehicles.

Ensure connectivity to the regional existing and planned network.

Focus on sidepaths and shared-use paths whenever feasible, supplemented by on-street facilities and shared lane markings, to provide a network that serves the needs of confident commuters to more casual bike riders.

Download Interim Bicycle Recommendations Map

Interim recommendations were identified to be implemented in the short term (about one to five years) to improve the visibility and safety of bicyclists already riding in Lenexa and to begin to build a network that connects all user types to key destinations. The interim network relies on bicycle boulevards, shared lanes and signed routes and may be implemented quickly, along with some bicycle lanes and paved shoulders where the current roadway allows for such facilities.

Bikeshare stations are either planned or recommended throughout the city to encourage ridership.



Download Future Bicycle Network Map

The long-term vision for Lenexa’s bicycle network includes a network of off-street shared-use paths and trails spread throughout the city that provide a low-stress network where bicyclists of all ages and abilities will feel safe and comfortable riding. These will be complemented by on-street facilities that range from low-stress bicycle boulevards to more separated bicycle lanes, some of which could be installed as roads come up for reconstruction under the City’s capital improvement plans.

Recommended Pedestrian Network

The pedestrian improvement recommendations focus on three key elements:

Filling in existing gaps in the sidewalk network

Making crossing the street easier and safer

Addressing other area-specific barriers

Lenexa’s plan identifies high-priority locations for pedestrian improvements including locations with a concentration of barriers to walking identified by public input, areas where crossing the street is especially challenging, corridors with significant sidewalk gaps and connections between pedestrian traffic generators such as schools and shopping destinations.

Download Sidewalk Gaps Map

Some sidepath recommendations will close small sidewalk gaps, while others will provide longer distance connections more likely to be used by recreational walkers and runners. Priority streets for sidewalk infill were selected based on public input, proximity to key destinations (schools, retail areas, businesses, parks, etc.) and the latent demand analysis results. When possible, the study recommends City should take advantage of programmed curb ramp, roadway and maintenance projects to install nearby priority sidewalks at the same time.

Download Pedestrian Improvement Areas Map

Priority areas for pedestrian improvements were centered around major city destinations and areas identified by public comments as posing barriers to safety and comfort. They include (but are not listed in order of priority): A: 83rd Street at Kansas Highway 7, B: Prairie Star Parkway at K-7, C: City Center, D: 79th Street at Quivira Road, F: Old Town and trails at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park/Rising Star Elementary School, G: 87th Street Parkway from City Center to the east City limit, H: 79th Street at Mill Creek Elementary School, I: Mill Creek Middle School and J: Woodland Road at 91st Street. Site-specific recommendations for each of these locations are included in the report.

Policy and Technology Recommendations

The project team reviewed Lenexa’s current local ordinances and identified opportunities where modifications could be made to improve accommodation for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users. Changes are recommended in the Standard Traffic Ordinance and Unified Development Code, including amendments to walking, jogging and/or running regulations; bicycles, roller skates and skateboards regulations; off-street parking and subdivision design standards.

The plan also outlines several key emerging technologies, identifies implementation considerations and points to existing resource. Connected and autonomous vehicles, small motorized vehicles like e-bikes and e-scooters and ride-hailing services are discussed and implementation considerations are included.

Contact information

Steve Schooley, Transportation Manager, sschooley@lenexa.com, 913.477.7662.