Notice of Street Improvements Project - Front St from Ridge St to Tonganoxie Drive & Portions of Ridge St south of HW 24/40

The City of Tonganoxie is contracting with Kansas Heavy Construction, LLC to complete a series of improvements along Front Street between Ridge Street & Tonganoxie Drive and additional areas along Ridge Street south of HW 24/40. The project will include stormwater improvements, street & curb improvements, and installation of a pedestrian sidewalk along Front Street. An update will be added to this communication in the future describing the project improvements along Ridge Street. The project construction activities are expected to commence on March 9, 2026 and to be completed in 4-5 months. All work will be completed by Kansas Heavy Construction, LLC and its subcontractors.

During most of the construction period all vehicle & pedestrian access directly onto Front Street from Tonganoxie Drive in the area generally west and north of Tall T’s Sales will be entirely closed until construction is completed. “Road closed” signage will be installed at this location as part of the project to help identify traffic closures. Vehicular access to the parking lot of Gambinos and Rice House restaurants will remain available from two driveways along Ridge Street. All local access to other properties & businesses with access only to Front Street and Shoemaker Way is expected to be provided from Ridge Street in a controlled manner by contractors during the period of construction activities. Signage will be in place that will specify instructions for accessing these businesses from Ridge St. There is no specifically outlined detour route for this project and there are multiple east/west roadway alternatives located north and south of the construction project area. 

For the majority of the project timeline the Chieftain Pedestrian Trail at the intersection of Tonganoxie Drive and Front Street is expected to remain fully open and available for use by pedestrians. It is expected that for a period of approximately 1 week there will be a complete closure of the Chieftain Pedestrian Trail at the intersection of Tonganoxie Drive and Front Street while work is occurring directly on the trail crosswalk across Front Street. Signage will be in place on the Pedestrian Trail to notify pedestrians of the full closure of the Pedestrian Trail during that period and no access will be allowed.

A map of the road closure area and the location of the portion of the construction project along Front Street is provided as an attachment for additional reference. On March 2, 2026 the City Council approved a Change Order for the project to add additional improvements as part of the combined project on portions of Ridge Street. More information will be provided at a later date about those planned improvements

For any questions about the project the contractor contact is: Matt Gripka, Project Manager, 913-416-0034 or [email protected]