Kansas City Residents Demand Action on Confusing Street Sign Amid Construction Chaos

Kansas City Residents Raise Concerns Over Confusing Street Sign

For many Kansas City locals, the charming Waldo neighborhood is a beloved spot filled with unique shops and restaurants. However, recent construction on Wornall Road has brought more than just updates to the area; it’s brought confusion. At the intersection of West 74 Terrace and Wornall Road, a newly installed street sign has business owners scratching their heads and wondering what went wrong.

The Issue at Hand

With construction underway between 72nd and 76th Streets, the addition of the street sign has only added to the confusion. Becky Hamrick, owner of Bobby Baker’s Lounge, directly witnessed the installation of the sign, which she estimates is placed about 15 feet away from the actual road and is largely invisible to drivers. “My customers were laughing so hard the whole time they saw the construction crews install it on the cameras outside,” Hamrick recalled. “They couldn’t believe what they were seeing—it’s just a mess!”

Drivers Struggling with Navigation

Hamrick mentioned that the challenges have not just come from the construction itself, but also from the poor visibility of the new sign. “The one-way sign and street names aren’t visible to drivers from any angle,” she explained. “They were putting it up, and I asked the construction crew what they were doing, and they just followed the city’s blueprints.”

Alongside Hamrick, her coworker Lynnie Schumacher expressed her frustration. “All day, people have been coming down the wrong way onto a one-way street because they can’t see the sign,” she said. “There’s also no one-way sign on Pennsylvania, which leaves people heading east in the opposite direction!”

Feeling for the Local Businesses

Concerns have grown among local business owners about how this confusion might affect their traffic. “We’re already struggling around here,” Hamrick stated, shaking her head. “How are people supposed to know to take 74th Terrace to reach any of these businesses?” The construction has already made the area less accessible, and this added complication is just salt in the wound.

A Call to Action

Recognizing the sign’s inadequacy, Hamrick took the initiative to report the situation through the city’s 311 service line. “Hopefully, it will get moved sooner than later for everyone traveling down Wornall,” she remarked. “It’s definitely picture-worthy for all the wrong reasons!”

A Response from City Officials

In light of these pressing concerns, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Manager’s Office stated that action will be taken promptly. They confirmed, “The sign will be removed this week and reinstalled in a new location as the construction continues later this year.” This is certainly welcome news for the anxious locals who are tired of navigating unnecessary roadblocks.

Conclusion

As Kansas City prepares for further construction, locals hope the resolution of this signage issue serves as a valuable lesson in urban planning. After all, clarity in navigation is essential for both drivers and the businesses that rely on customer traffic. Here’s hoping for smoother roads ahead in the Waldo neighborhood!