The lack of connected side streets in southern Johnson County means that the busy 119th Street is the only alternative – either riding on street with traffic or on a very narrow sidewalk. Warren’s post includes a map of the detour.

This section of the Indian Creek Trail is scheduled to reopen in March of 2012.

The Riverfront Heritage Trail’s bridge over I-670 is closing on Friday for construction and will remain closed until the end of September.  A short on-street detour is available via the Summit Street overpass.

This old bridge linking the Westside with Quality Hill and the Downtown Loop is being renovated and getting a new public art installation as part of the ongoing development of the Riverfront Heritage trail.

News from City Hall
City Communications Office
City of Kansas City, Mo.
www.kcmo.org
CONTACT: City Communications Office, 816-513-1349

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2011

Construction closes bicycle pedestrian bridge over I-670

The City of Kansas City, Mo., is advising bicyclists and pedestrians that the Belleview Bridge over Interstate 670 connecting Mulkey Square Park to Andrew Drips Park will be closed starting Friday, July 29 while improvements are completed. The work includes installation of pedestrian lighting and safety enhancements to the bridge’s railing. Completion is expected by late September.

Bicyclists and pedestrians will need to use alternate routes during construction. Detours will be posted prior to construction.

Media inquiries and other requests for more information about this project should be directed to Deb Ridgway, bicycle pedestrian coordinator, at 816-513-2592 or emaildeb.ridgway@kcmo.org.

MetroGreen Update (Info and RSVP)
Wednesday, June 1st
6:00 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. program
Kansas City Public Library Central Branch
14 West 10th Street, KCMO
Bike parking available at the main entrance.

Merriam Lane bike lanes
The Unified Government of KCK/WyCo will reconstruct Merriam Lane in part of the city’s Green Corridor, including bike lanes.  The segment between 10th and 24th Streets was just funded. Eventually KCK will put bike lines on their entire stretch of Merriam Lane and Southwest Boulevard, one of the prime bike commute routes connecting KCK, Downtown KCMO, and Johnson County.

Blue River Trail
KCMO also received funding for a segment of the Blue River Trail between Swope Park and Brush Creek.  Other projects underway will connect the Blue River Trail with the Brush Creek, Trolley Track, and Indian Creek Trails.

See also KCBike.Info’s construction tracker map.

Public Information Meeting: Location and Design of Maplewoods Parkway
Staley Farms Golf Club, Plantation Room
10310 N. Olive Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64155
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 5-7 p.m.

Handicap access is available. All interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard on their views of the proposed improvements with reference to socio-economic effects and its consistency with the community’s objectives. The planned improvement is as follows:

The City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department plans to extend Maplewoods Parkway (N. Woodland Avenue) from NE 96^th Street to NE 111^th Street, upgrading this section of roadway to current design Standards. The improvements include roadway Realignment and Widening with a Median, Curb & Gutter, Sidewalks, Lighting and Sewers. These improvements will extend the city’s parkway system. Design and Right of Way plans will be available for viewing at the Meeting. Tentative schedules for right-of-way acquisition and construction will be discussed at the Meeting.

Project plans and other detailed information prepared by the City are available for public inspection at the office of the Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, 4600 E. 63^rd Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64130. Written and oral statements will be received at the Meeting. These, as well as written statements received within ten days after the Meeting date, will be made part of the Public Meeting transcript.

If you are disabled and require special services at the Meeting, please notify Steve Hatfield by January 11, 2011 at (816) 513-7780 to make arrangements.

 

Photo By Zeke Shepard

The KC Star reports that work has begun to fill the giant sinkhole that closed the part of the Trolley Track Trail in October 2010, when an abandoned mine collapsed. The trail segment between Troost and Woodland should re-open by the end of January.

Click for PDF

Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Director Roscoe Righter has a special in the The Examiner talking about the increasing popularity of bicycling, both nationally and in Blue Springs.  He also promises plans for expanding the city’s bike route network in 2011.

Blue Springs is a bit of the unsung hero of the local bike scene. It was one of the first metro cities to develop bike plans for both transportation and recreation, and one of the first with bike lanes. Blue Springs has been quietly expanding their trails and bike lanes over the years, and adding new facilities like bike lockers at transit park-and-ride lots. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2011!

Examiner: Is riding a bicycle becoming fashionable again?

Blue Springs bike map and plan (PDF).

Details at Smithville Lake Trails blog.

Read about the award.