Posted on Sat, Dec. 16, 2006
NKC votes against Paseo bike path
(original link)
By MIKE RICE
The Kansas City Star

North Kansas City leaders this week narrowly rejected a measure to give a formal show of support for a bicycle and pedestrian crossing on a new Paseo Bridge.

But they did pledge support for a bike lane across the Heart of America Bridge.

In a rare 4-4 tie among City Council members, Mayor Gene Bruns cast the tie-breaking vote against the Paseo Bridge bike path resolution.

Voting in favor of having a bike lane included in the design of the new Paseo Bridge were Elizabeth Hall, Chris Hertling, Joe Koppe and Lisa Ronning.

Voting against it were Bill Biggerstaff, Bettie Miller, James Martino and Delores Curry.

The bike lane issue has arisen because the state is preparing to replace or rehab the Paseo Bridge when Interstate 29/35 is widened from the Northland to the downtown loop.

The Mid-America Regional Council has called on the Missouri Department of Transportation to include a bike lane in the new bridge’s design.

That lane would run from Front Street on the south side of the Missouri River to 16th Avenue in North Kansas City.

MoDot has been less receptive to the idea because of safety issues and questions about connectivity. The area around 16th Avenue and the highway is industrial and has heavy truck traffic.

But it recently stated that it would see that the bridge’s formal design allow for the addition of a bike lane in the future. Construction of a bike lane would be contingent upon finding a funding source.

MoDot, however, is committed to building a $3.2 million bike lane by 2012 on the Heart of America Bridge, which feeds into Burlington Road.

If built, the lane — between Third Street south of the river and 10th Avenue in North Kansas City — would for the first time give downtown a Missouri River bridge with barriers that separate pedestrians and bicyclists from vehicles.

Bruns said he voted against the Paseo Bridge resolution because of safety concerns.

But Koppe said there are numerous highway bridges in Missouri that have bike lanes. If separated by concrete barriers or chain link fences, he said, those lanes would be safe for bicyclers.

The vote to support the Heart of America bike lane was 7-1. Koppe cast the lone dissenting vote.

Miller said the bike lane on the Heart of America Bridge would provide greater connectivity between both sides of the river. She noted the bridge’s proximity to the City Market and other areas of downtown.

But council members in favor of also having a path on the new Paseo Bridge said the council missed an opportunity to influence a decision that could have a positive impact on the metropolitan area for decades.

“This bridge will last 100 years,” Ronning said. “But I don’t know if automobiles will.”

To reach Mike Rice, call (816) 234-5903 or send e-mail to mrice@kcstar.com.