City in Kansas Votes to Construct New Residential Streets with Concrete

City officials in Overland Park, KS, recently voted to require new residential developments to be constructed with concrete pavement, for residential and collector streets, reports NRMCA Senior Director, Local Paving, Ken Justice. Members of the City Council made the unanimous decision after years of discussion, ultimately choosing concrete because of durability and reduced maintenance costs along with public complaints on the cost of frequent repairs of many of the city's asphalt streets.

The decision had its start in the mid-1980's when the Concrete Promotional Group (CPG) helped form the Concrete Industry Work Group, an informal organization that brought together public works professionals, concrete suppliers and representatives of related associations to share information. The work group eventually led to the formation of the Kansas City Metropolitan Materials Board (KCMMB), a cooperative effort of municipal and county public works officials whose goal was to standardize the use of improved concrete technology by developing specifications and to simplify the concrete mix design approval process. 

In March 2023 at the request of the CPG, Justice conducted a Design Assistance Program (DAP) report on a city subdivision, Wilshire Hills, that was placed with asphalt in 2022. The DAP showed the design, initial costs and life cycle costs had it been placed with concrete. Christy Martin, executive director of the CPG along with the Missouri/Kansas chapter of ACPA, attended Public Works Committee Meetings and met individually with many City Council members. NRMCA Producer member Geiger Ready-Mix also played a key role, with General Council Chad Tenpenny meeting with the Overland Park maybe and City Council members.

"Ultimately good concrete sold itself: durable, long life - reduced maintenance vs asphalt - reduced public disruption with less maintenance - brighter, light reflective - sustainable and resilient, etc.," Martin said.

For more information, contact Ken Justice at kjustice@nrmca.org or Christy Martin at martinc@concretepromotion.com.