LENEXA, Kan. -- Neighbors living near one busy Johnson County corridor complain that elected officials are being too stubborn. Opposition to the Kansas Department of Transportation’s plan to build a new interchange at K-10 and Lone Elm Road is mounting up, and homeowners want something done. They’re upset because Lenexa city councilmembers have told them these plans have been in place since 1988, and they’re staying the course. KDOT has a broad plan to make improvements and updates along K-10, where thousands of cars travel east from Lawrence to Olathe every day. Owners of homes near Lone Elm Road aren’t pleased, because they don’t believe this area can support an interchange from K-10, and that too much traffic presents a danger. Kansas Highway Patrol to tow abandoned cars ahead of winter storm Lenexa city leaders have set aside almost $11.5 million for the construction of an interchange, which would serve traffic from Lenexa to the north of the highway and Olathe to the south. Many neighbors there have attended public meetings, including the one held on Dec. 12, where traffic around four nearby schools was a topic of discussion. “It's an issue that it's not necessary. Nobody in the area wants an interchange,” Whitney Royer, who lives nearby with her family, said on Thursday. Manchester Park Elementary School is nearby as well, it's one of four nearby schools. Olathe Northwest High School is also close by, sitting south of K-10. Royer and other neighbors are worried the interchange would bring too much traffic near those children, as well as big trucks going to and from the logistic and trucking centers nearby. “An interchange would present a native safety issue for those kids in having to cross an interchange to get to school. I know I would not personally let my kids walk or bike across an interchange to get to school,” Royer said. Neighbors like Mike Carr have also attended the public meetings. He believes this area of Johnson County has changed a lot since 1988, and plans need to be updated. “All the safety talk we've heard so far is just vague platitudes, like, 'We're going to design it the best we can so it's as safe as possible.' Well, what's that mean?” Carr asked. On Thursday, a Lenexa City spokesperson said that the city’s leaders are looking forward to working with KDOT on this project. However, Olathe’s mayor opposes this plan, expressing concern for safety near those schools. “The City of Olathe has a strong partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation. We look forward to continued collaboration regarding the Lone Elm and K-10 interchange and ensuring the safety of our school communities and our neighborhoods,” Mayor John Bacon said via email.Homeowners on Thursday said they would support an overpass here, but not a full interchange. That would connect Lenexa and Olathe, and provide a way to reach both without using K-10. KHP reports fewer DUI arrests for New Year’s reporting period On Thursday evening, KDOT spokesperson Delaney Tholen sent the following statement regarding this proposed project. “For the past two and a half years, KDOT has been conducting an Environmental Assessment (EA), required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to understand the future needs along the 17-mile K-10 segment, from I-35 to the Douglas County line. Recommended improvements include a potential new interchange at K-10/Lone Elm Road. KDOT understands there are some in favor and some opposed to the addition of this interchange. The Environmental Assessment is currently under review by the FHWA and a decision about the recommended improvements is expected in the spring of 2025. KDOT is working with the City of Lenexa and the City of Olathe to determine the next steps and schedule for construction of the K-10/Lone Elm Road interchange.”