After many, many protests from cyclists like you, the Missouri Department of Transportation has finally conducted a study of possible bicycle/pedestrian crossings over the Missouri River. The options include retrofitting the Heart of America or A.S.B. Bridges, or constructing a new dedicated bike/ped bridge. MoDOT has committed to funding one bridge as part of the Paseo Bridge replacement project. However, at this time the Paseo itself is being studying separately and is still likely to be built without bike/ped facilities.

Tuesday October 10, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Mid-America Regional Council
Rivergate Center
600 Broadway Blvd, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64105 (map)

Please take some time this Tuesday to go and look at MoDOT's proposals and provide your input. This is likely the only chance for public input, so please attend if possible.  Afterwards stop by Harry's Country Club in the River Market to reward yourself for doing your civic duty for the evening (112 E. Missouri Ave. KCMO 64106 - map).

Some questions to think about…

• Does this look like something I would use? What about my kids, grandparents, etc?
• Will this get me from Point A to Point B?
• How practical is this for transportation, commuting, etc?
• How useful is this for recreation, trail access, river access, etc?

Keep reading for MoDOT's press release.
Findings and recommendations from a Bicycle/Pedestrian Missouri River Crossing Feasibility Study will be displayed during an open-house public meeting. No formal presentation is planned; participants may attend at their convenience from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to view displays, visit with study team members, and provide their input to the study process.

A team that includes representatives from the Missouri Bicycle Federation, the Federal Highway Administration, municipal government and community representatives is working with MoDOT to identify a bicycle/pedestrian river crossing location that MoDOT will commit to funding by 2012. The study’s findings and recommended location will be added to the Environmental Impact Statement that will be completed before design and construction of a Missouri River bridge along the I-29/I-35 corridor.

The team toured possible crossing locations on Sept 18. The public meeting will report what the team learned on that trip, and explain why the team eliminated some options and selected others for additional analysis. Public reaction and comments to these findings will be incorporated into the study team’s final report, which will identify a recommended location for a bicycle/pedestrian crossing.

MARC"S offices are located at 600 Broadway (just south of the Broadway Bridge) in downtown Kansas City.