South Liberty Parkway

With the opening of Phase II of South Liberty Parkway on Oct. 18, 2018, area residents are enjoying another east / west route that connects I-35 to Rte 291.  In addition,  more than 1,000 acres of land are now open for development.

The idea of an East/West interconnecting roadway between I-35 and 291 Highway was first discussed in 1965. To date, Phase I of the Parkway, from I-35 to Withers Road, has been built and Phase II, from Withers Road to 291 Highway was opened in October 2018.

The $26.1 million four lane, 2.5 mile extension of South Liberty Parkway from Withers to 291 Highway includes water lines not only along Phase II roadway but also portions of Phase I and along Withers Road. Sidewalks, a bike path and elevated crossings over two railroad lines and a creek are also included in the scope of the project. Upon completion, more than 1,000 acres of land will be open for development.

Located south of Phase II is also the location of Liberty's new Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Liberty Animal Shelter. 

History 

The idea of an east/west interconnecting roadway between I-35 and Rte. 291 was first discussed in 1965. Phase I of the Parkway, from I-35 to Withers Road, was completed in 2005. The extension and opening of South Liberty Parkway came at a crucial time, as the Missouri Department of Transportation, the City of Liberty and City of Kansas City, Mo., were preparing to overhaul of the Kansas Street / MO 152 corridor / I-35 interchange in 2019. The demolition and reconstruction of the bridge over I-35, was expected to disrupt traffic patterns for four months in summer 2019. South Liberty Parkway, the Flintlock Flyover and the expansion of the Rte. 291 bridge over I-35 to the north provided crucial alternative routes into Liberty.