🚨 One thing to know today

The U.S. 69 express toll lane project officially launched earlier this year, with crews already doing some site work, tree removal and intermittent closures of lanes and ramps.

For instance, starting March 30, a stretch of northbound U.S. 69 will close between West 143rd and West 151st streets for bridge rehabilitation.

For daily traffic information, sign up for text alerts here.

Overland Park city officials and state government leaders celebrated the launch with a groundbreaking ceremony in mid-February at the nearby Hilltop Conference Center.

Ahead of the construction launch, project team representatives hosted an house at the end of February to get the public up to speed with plans to build a third lane on U.S. 69 between West 103rd and West 151st streets. The third lane in both directions will serve as an express toll lane, which is intended to help relieve traffic congestion and also fund construction.

Those were unable to attend the Feb. 28 open house can schedule a virtual open house at 69Express.org. Those who register can learn more about the various components of the project, including construction phases and noise walls.

Additionally, the project team is also offering presentations, which homeowners associations and other organizations can request. To schedule a presentation, email info@69Express.org.

Finally, continue checking JoCo Notes, which the Post publishes weekdays at 7 a.m., for ongoing and intermittent lane and ramp closures.

🗓 Weekend things to do

• St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl at Prairiefire, Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. [More info]
• St. Patty’s Day party at Mr. P’z Bar and Grill, Friday at 5 p.m. [More info]
• Spring Into Arts + Crafts at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. [More info]
• “The Ripple, the Wave that Carried Me Home” by Kansas City Repertory Theatre, all weekend. [More info]
• Kansas City Symphony Presents Indigo Girls with the Kansas City Symphony, Saturday at 8 p.m. [More info]

🚀 Post’s top Thursday stories

1. Leawood salon Arista Hair Co. set to relocate to Overland Park
2. Bravo! Italian Kitchen closes in Leawood after 20 years
3. JoCo Notes: See Blue Valley West alum Kate Cosentino on The Voice
4. This river that starts in Johnson County is in trouble, but people are trying to help it
5. East Village development has Leawood’s approval — Here’s what happens next

📰 Other local news

• Grant Stubblefield, a senior who recently led the Blue Valley Northwest boys’ basketball team to a Kansas Class 6A state title, was named the Hy-Vee KSHB Action 41 Student Athlete of the Week. [KSHB]
• Two Overland Park residents suffered serious injuries when their vehicle rolled on to its side on I-70 in western Kansas earlier this week. [WIBW]
• The owners of the Mission 106 luxury apartment complex at Mission Farms are suing a building contractor over $3 million in water damage they say was due to design flaws. [Kansas City Business Journal]

🐦 Notable tweets

Blue Valley school buildings are ready to go after spring break, thanks to a special group of people who work hard to make it happen.

During spring break, our maintenance, buildings & grounds, and custodial staff members are hard at work to make sure our facilities and classrooms are ready to welcome students back next week! pic.twitter.com/Cp5YlD8wjT

— Blue Valley Schools (@bvschools) March 16, 2023

Welcome to stardom, Kate! Blue Valley West REPRESENT.

This feels like the 2023 equivalent of marrying up from peasantry into nobility pic.twitter.com/3rYG72rAlF

— Kate Cosentino (@KateMCosentino) March 16, 2023

Do I have to book a flight to get this grub? Yum yum!

Grab Burnt Ends, BBQ Sauce and Gear for your flight out of the new @Fly_KansasCity – be the hero only you can be when you land! #Whomp! pic.twitter.com/0A8sjA4bar

— Meat Mitch (@MeatMitch) March 16, 2023