When will Black Bob Road construction be finished in Olathe? See the timeline
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Construction from 159th to 167th targets June completion, weather permitting.
- Work between 153rd Terrace and 159th St. continues through summer 2027.
- Black Bob Road project aims to address road safety and traffic capacity.
Olathe drivers can expect more work to be done on Black Bob Road this year, potentially causing delays in the south part of the city near Heritage Park.
The city will remake the road from two lanes of traffic to four lanes, add bike lanes, a median, streetlights, sidewalks and other improvements in a joint effort with Johnson County.
This week, Olathe’s City Council approved relocating utilities along Black Bob Road from 153rd Terrace to 159th Street. That work will begin at some point this spring and should be complete this summer, according to a tentative timeline.
After utilities are moved, other construction in that area can begin. By April, work should begin on new pavement, curb and gutter additions, medians, streetlights, sidewalks, a side path and storm sewers. A new bridge will replace a culvert north of 158th Terrace.
Construction from 153rd to 159th is anticipated to last through at least summer 2027, according to a tentative timeline.
Olathe began work on Black Bob Road last spring between 159th Street and 167th Street. During that time, a new roundabout was built at 167th Street, which is now open to traffic.
In an update over the winter, City Council member LeEtta Felter said on social media that contractors took advantage of warmer weather to make significant progress.
City staff said in an email this week that, weather permitting, construction from 159th to 167th Street is on track to be finished by June.
“Investing in infrastructure like Black Bob Road is about planning ahead — ensuring our roads are safe, efficient, and ready to support the continued growth of our community,” Felter said in an email this week. “This project reflects our commitment to both quality of life today and responsible development for the future.”
City maps show Black Bob Road remains closed from W. 167th Terrace to just past W. 165th Street at the time of publication.
Improvements to Black Bob Road
The Black Bob Road Improvement Project aims to address safety and traffic capacity concerns in the area, according to the city website.
Some of the improvements are focused on visibility for drivers and pedestrians. A new entrance to Heritage Park added off Black Bob Road adds a new pedestrian signal, and turn lanes will be added to the road where there currently are none.
Black Bob Road was identified as a priority project in the city’s Transportation Master Plan, created in 2017.
Olathe was awarded $3.75 million in County Assistance Road System (CARS) Project funds from Johnson County to go toward the project.
Another $13.5 million of the project is funded by general obligation bonds issued by the city of Olathe.
City staff said a virtual public meeting is scheduled for March 24th over Zoom to discuss the 153rd to 159th portion of the project. Residents near the project area were mailed information about how to join the virtual meeting, a city spokesperson said.
There is a landing page for the project on the city website where residents can check for updates.
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 12:12 PM.
