Independence plans to reroute traffic around Whataburger opening
Taking a lesson from Lee’s Summit, Independence will reroute traffic for the grand opening of a Whataburger fast food restaurant in its city.
Fans swarmed the Kansas City area’s first Wataburger when it opened in Lee’s Summit earlier this month, creating traffic delays and congestion that stretched for blocks.
In anticipation of similar traffic, Independence officials announced on Facebook that they worked with the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Kansas City District to come up a traffic plan for Monday’s grand opening of Whataburger at 18811 E. Valley View Parkway in Independence.
The city warned drivers to plan ahead and expect heavy traffic along U.S. 40 highway, between Interstate 470/Missouri 291 highway and the Little Blue Parkway.
Under the plan to reroute traffic:
▪ Northbound and southbound Whataburger traffic on I-470/Missouri 291 should go east on Interstate 70 and exit onto Little Blue Parkway.
▪ Traffic will then head south on Little Blue Parkway to U.S. 40 highway.
▪ Traffic will then head west on U.S. 40 highway, with two turn lanes designated for Whataburger customers.
While that traffic flow is in place, drivers headed west on U.S. 40 highway will not be able to turn south onto Little Blue Parkway and drivers headed north on Little Blue Parkway will not be able to turn west onto U.S. 40.
Drivers looking to visit shops or restaurants along East Valley View Parkway should enter at the north end from the light at East Valley View Parkway and Little Blue Parkway.
Traffic restrictions are expected to be in place from Monday through Friday.
Lee’s Summit police on Wednesday said they are no longer assisting with traffic control at the Lee’s Summit location. The restaurant had chosen to use cones to close its main entrance and a small access road just south of the entrance.
Drivers were being urged to follow Northeast Douglas Street south to Northeast Tudor Road and head west to Northeast Main Street. From there, drivers were told to head north to Northeast Victoria Drive and east to the restaurant.
This story was originally published November 26, 2021 at 2:41 PM.
