The Grand Mere Parkway Extension Project, in 2016, extended Grand Mere Parkway 0.5 miles beyond its previous end. This extension was the first extension of Grand Mere Parkway since the original 1.3 miles was built in 2000. Grand Mere Parkway is a collector roadway, which serves the Grand Mere community, Colbert Hills Golf Course, and the Hartford Hill community. As Grand Mere has grown the extension became necessary for the development of the northern portions of Grand Mere and properties beyond. To date the extension serves eleven new subdivisions. The alignment of the extension took a great deal of consideration. Factors impacting the alignment were the existing golf course, drainage, future access points, site distance, future extensions of Grand Mere Parkway, and subdivisions development. Selecting a preferred alignment across vacant land required a great deal of input from stakeholders as each of these factors was considered. Beyond the alignment the section was also evaluated. Previous sections of Grand Mere Parkway included landscape medians, but since its construction maintenance of those medians has been problematic. Essentially the commitment of maintaining the landscaping has been more than anticipated. For this reason, the project team shrunk the overall width of the parkway, eliminating the landscape islands. The section also includes in its width bike lanes in each direction and sidewalks on both sides. Other design features included a cart path underpass accented with a wrought island railing, lighting, and limestone; a native grass landscape berm to protect vehicles and pedestrians from errant golf balls, and a new water line extension to service all the new subdivisions planned.

LOCATION: Manhattan, Kansas

CLIENT: Brian Johnson, P.E., City Engineer

PROJECT COMPLETION: 2016