The entrance to Notre Dame’s campus has been fraught with accidents over the years and deemed hazardous by the school, students and parents during heavy traffic periods on Route K. Additionally, community members and school stakeholders identified improving the safety of the school entrance as a key objective of the 2022 strategic plan.

In May of 2023, school administration met with representatives from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to look for solutions. MoDOT informed the school that a major tax funded project would be coming to the Route K corridor in 2026.

The project scope includes a center turn lane from just west of the County Road 319 intersection, to just before the entrance to Wal-Mart. An additional east bound lane will also be added just west of the current Notre Dame Drive, ending at the Wal-Mart entrance.

In April of 2024, MoDOT held a public meeting at the high school to gain public input on several different locations of a round-a-bout or a stoplight to help further mitigate traffic accidents at the entrance to Notre Dame Drive. MoDOT presented safety studies, and ultimately, with the public’s input, determined a round-a-bout would be the best option at that location.

School administration has since worked with MoDOT and other area land stakeholders to determine the location of the round-a-bout, and subsequent entrance to Notre Dame Drive. The round-a-bout will be placed on Route K, centered with the school building. Notre Dame Drive will be partially rerouted in order to connect the round-a-bout.

“We are excited about this Route K project,” said Notre Dame President Tim Garner. “In particular, the addition of a round-a-bout connecting Notre Dame Drive to Route K, as we feel it will greatly improve the safety for our students while arriving and departing from school. Additionally, the overall project will reduce accidents along the Route K corridor and allow for future development of the area.”

The project is slated to begin in the spring of 2026 and be completed by the fall of that year.

“This project has allowed us to collaborate with MoDOT and local landowners to find the most sensible solutions for all parties involved,” added Garner. “I want to thank everyone who had a hand in helping the school collaborate with MoDOT to see this project move forward.”

In the interim, Notre Dame administration felt it necessary to add a second entrance / exit to the school, giving an alternative route during peak traffic times, while also providing a second access point when Route K corridor construction begins.

Due to the generous support of donors, Notre Dame was able to connect Notre Dame Drive to County Road 203, located behind the school. The project also included additional lighting along the roadway, which will provide some light to the tennis complex.

“Once County Road 203 was straightened and paved, we felt that it was only a matter of time before the school would look to add an additional entrance to the property,” said Garner. “Now that the connection project is nearing completion, it will be a valuable asset to the overall school campus. This connection will allow students that live south of the school a more direct way to and from school, and once construction begins along Route K, the new entrance will provide an alternative route to school for others.”

Garner added that the connection to County Road 203 was part of the original plans for the campus when the school was built in 1997.

“It is good to see that the original building committee’s foresight has become a reality.”

Garner expressed his gratitude to the donors who supported this project.

“Because of their willingness to pay it forward, many students will be able to benefit for years to come.”