Challenges
- Involving the key stakeholders and the public in such a large region. The five counties include 35 cities, five fixed-route transit agencies, two metropolitan planning organizations and two state agencies (KDOT and the KTA). Providing meaningful opportunities to involve a large population will also be a challenge.
- Avoiding duplication with other planning efforts. Several other KDOT highway studies are already underway in the region. MARC also recently completed work on its long-range transportation plan called Transportation Outlook 2040, and continues to work on the Smart Moves Regional Transit Plan. The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization is also conducting a study on the K-10/US-40 corridor and continues to be involved in coordination efforts between the City of Lawrence Transit System (The "T") and the University of Kansas Transit System ("KU on Wheels").
- Some key issues extend beyond the five county area. For instance, Leavenworth and Lansing are interested in better access to KCI airport, there is interest in transit service between Topeka and the Kansas City area, possible freight travel between intermodal facilities in Gardner and Grandview and area distribution centers needs to be considered, and there is interest in more efficient east-west travel between Kansas and Missouri.
