A construction project off Highway 45 in the west end of Parkville has attracted attention due to a dramatic drop-off from the highway.
Resident Louise Thurlow contacted the Citizen a few weeks ago, concerned about excavation just feet from the highway right-of-way. Thurlow referred to the project, located just west of Hwy. 45’s intersection with Interstate 435, as an “open pit” and said she believes there should be a barrier in place to keep traffic aware of the dangerous edge.
“I spoke to the city of Parkville and they said they’ve turned it into Missouri MoDOT road concerns,” Thurlow said. “I had already done this six weeks ago and nothing has changed. We still have the dangerous open pit.”
According to Parkville’s Director of Community Development Stephen Lachky, the project in question is the Creekside West Apartments development at the northwest corner of the intersection of Hwy. 45 and Homer Parkway. According to Lachky, the Creekside West Apartments is part of a planned mixed-use development consisting of two hotels, two restaurants and four apartment buildings totaling 197 residential units
MoDOT was notified of the concern around the project and Ravi Neupane, area engineer for Platte, Clay and Ray counties, said any excavation six feet or more in depth requires fencing or some other type of protection, but said it was a private development.
Lachky said Parkville’s public works department submitted a service request to MoDOT weeks ago, since the work falls within their right-of-way.
“MoDOT was not concerned about the issue and stated to us this is a private property matter for the City of Parkville to address,” Lachky said. “This may be because, prior to any land disturbance, grading, and development, there was an existing hill with a substantial slope already on the property, like what’s been graded; and the commencement of construction just made it more visible to Hwy. 45 roadway users.”
However, more recently, Lachky said the public works department has reached out to the contractor working on the project and requested they install construction fencing along their property line to identify this area and establish a boundary. “Unfortunately, we cannot install highway infrastructure (e.g., guardrail) within MoDOT’s right-of-way without their permission/approval; and I’m not aware they’d warrant one for the development of the Creekside West Apartments project,” Lachky said.