Missouri Bicycle News

Today's Kansas City Star's editorial weighed in on the debate about the bicycle/pedestrian river crossing proposed as part of the Paseo Bridge project--the first safe bike/ped crossing in the Kansas City area:

Missouri officials need to encourage pedestrians and bicycle riders on a new Paseo Bridge rather than look for ways to deny access.

Unfortunately, the project’s recent draft environmental impact statement says the best place for a pedestrian crossing is somewhere else — namely, at the Heart of America Bridge.

The draft statement included a detailed look at options for a Heart of America pedestrian crossing but failed to conduct a similar study for the Paseo project.

Lee Ann Kell, district planning manager for the Missouri Department of Transportation, says planners were concerned about keeping pedestrians and bicyclists clear of dangerous truck traffic. The Paseo Bridge carries Interstates 29 and 35.

Another issue has been the lack of trail connections on the north side of the river, where the predominant land use is industrial. As Kell put it, “Where would (pedestrians) go when they got off the bridge?”

How about new trails? With the rapid growth of the trail system in our region, it is not hard to image that a trail would someday wind through the woods on the north bank — or be perched atop the levee system.

Today KCMO Councilman Fairfield's resolution in favor of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit on the proposed Paseo Bridge passed unanimously out of committee.

About 25 supporters showed up and they--plus the emails and calls made by many supporters--were a key factor in convincing one wavering committee member to support the resolution. Thanks to the unanimous support of the committee the resolution will have a much easier time in the full Kansas City council, where it will come for a vote tomorrow (Thursday, May 24, 2006, 3PM, 26th floor, KCMO city hall).

Having the Kansas City council endorse bicycle and pedestrian accommodations on the Paseo Bridge is the single most powerful endorsement the project could have had and will carry a great deal of weight. permanent link to article: "Support builds for MO river crossing in Kansas City"
posted by Brent Hugh at 5/24/2006 09:13:00 PM |comment on this article