Kansas City, Missouri residents ready to make changes to Southwest Boulevard

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Todd Voth stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk on Southwest Boulevard about four months ago.

A car behind him tried to go around and hit Voth’s car.

“It was one of those things where it’s a total shock because I got arrested,” Voth said. “I didn’t expect to be hit by a car.”

Voth said the person in the crosswalk had moved out of the way before the crash. But Voth’s experience was one of about 275 accidents on Southwest Boulevard since 2020, according to the city.

That’s part of the reason the City Council will consider the overhaul plans at its meeting Thursday.

A rendering of proposed changes to Southwest Boulevard and Madison Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.

The proposal would reduce the number of lanes on the road from Broadway Boulevard to 25th Street.

Phase 2 would involve Southwest Boulevard, from 25th to 31st Streets. This would most likely happen after the World Cup in 2026.

“Probably for traffic, it would help reduce the speed of cars,” said Luis Hernández.

He owns Panaderia de las Americas on Southwest Boulevard. He said drivers typically speed, race and do donuts on weekend evenings.

Hernández supports everything to eliminate this activity.

“Whatever they want to do, it helps everyone,” he said.

Voth also supports the overhaul plans.

“People are moving too fast,” he said. “The road is too wide. From a pedestrian point of view, it’s super dangerous.

The city council meets Thursday at 3 p.m.

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KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics on both sides of the border. If you have a story idea to share, you can email Charlie at [email protected].