Missouri Bicycle News Article

The Paseo Bridge is a proposed new quarter billion dollar Missouri River bridge near downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

MoDOT has followed through on a pledge to find 10 feet of deck space on the bridge to allow for a bicycle/pedestrian river crossing. But they are talking about "possible future use". Like DECADES in the future.

The City of Kansas City, Missouri, led by KC Councilman Russ Johnson, is making it a number one priority to include bike/ped river access NOW, as the bridge is built.

Now KCMO and MoDOT need to see and feel the support of bicyclists, walkers, and runners who want to see the first Missouri River crossing near downtown Kansas City become a reality rather than a vague future possibility.

We can do that by showing up en masse at the groundbreaking for the Paseo Bridge on April 18th, 2008. Info from Let's Go KC:

Paseo Bridge Groundbreaking
8th April 2008, 01:30 pm

We need your support for a safe bike/pedestrian crossing on the Paseo Bridge by having your presence at the ground breaking Friday, April 18 at 2 pm. Ride your bike, walk, run or take transit to the ceremony. MoDOT and Senator Kit Bond will be there.

Paseo Bridge Ground-Breaking Ceremony
Friday, April 18, 2:00 p.m.
Isle of Capri Casino parking lot
1870 East Front Street, Kansas City, MO 64120 (map/directions)

* Bike there: A group of cyclists will ride 1.5 miles from the KCATA park-and-ride lot at 3rd and Grand, leaving promptly at 1:40 p.m.
* Bus there: The Isle of Capri is served by Metro bus #173 - Casino Cruiser. It leaves the 10th & Main Transit Center at 1:41 p.m. and arrives at the casino at 1:50 p.m. The return bus leaves at 3:08 p.m. Route map and schedule (PDF).
* Walk there: The Isle of Capri is walkable from Berkley Riverfront Park, via the Riverfront Heritage Trail.

Background:
Work is being done to design and get funding for the Paseo bridge bike/ped ramps that MODOT said has to happen to get them to complete the bike/ped lane on the bridge. There are 2 separate KCMO council resolutions asking for it and a regional River Crossing Policy that recommends it. KCMO is committed to it and MODOT needs to see that they must stand behind their agreement to finish the bike/ped lane on the bridge deck if other agencies can get the connecting ramps there.

Visit the Let's Go KC web site for more information.

Let's Go KC news 4/9/08

Related:

News: Area bicyclist calls for safe river crossings in Kansas City area

News: KC: MoDOT's commitment for bicycle/pedestrian access across the Missouri River

News: Children's Ride to "Put People on the Paseo" in KC Oct 11th

News: 1st Bike/Ped Missouri River Crossing in Kansas City to happen much sooner

News: Bicyclists attend Paseo Bridge groundbreaking