Meeting July 14th - Bike/Ped on new Hwy 96 / Bicycle Route 66 bridges at Carthage?
MoDOT is replacing bridges in Hwy 96/Historic Route 66 just on the northeast side of Carthage. The route is currently part of the Bicycle Route 66 national bicycle touring route through Missouri. The bridges are currently narrow with no shoulder to speak of--not inviting or safe for either bicycling or walking.
Will the new bridges be accessible for bicycling and walking? If you live, work, bicycle, or vacation in the area, please visit the upcoming meeting to find out more and let your voice be heard:
Replacement of Hwy 96 Bridges in NE Carthage
MODOT presentation and public comment
Thursday, July 14th 5PM - 7PM
Carthage City Hall, Council Chambers
326 Grant St, Carthage, MO 64836
If you can't make the meeting in person, consider calling or emailing to leave a comment in support of bicycle and pedestrian access on the new bridges. Best MoDOT contact is:
Sean Matlock
sean.matlock@modot.mo.gov
Southwest District Office Phone: 417.895.7600
Or call 1-888-ASKMODOT to connect to Sean
Suggested message to MoDOT
When you call, email, or attend the upcoming meeting, the most important thing is to leave a comment saying that you strongly support improved access for people who bicycle and walk on this section of Hwy 96.
If you would like to make more extensive comments, here are some ideas:
- Hwy 96 is an important route for people who walk and bicycle because:
- It is close to important destinations in the Carthage area; people live and work on both sides of the bridges
- It is the only bike/ped route connecting from Carthage towards the northeast that allows travel over several difficult barriers (railroad tracks and rivers)
- It is part of the Bicycle Route 66 national bicycle touring route
- This route is on the bicycle plan for the City of Carthage
- We MUCH appreciate MoDOT considering the needs of people who bicycle and walk on this project, by including wider shoulders and sidewalks. Please let them know that you very much support this.
- At the meeting July 14th, MoDOT will have displays and plans for the new bridge. Please look them over carefully and just let them know, from your perspective as a person who walks and bicycles, what looks like it will work well and what needs to be improved or changed to make you feel safe
- The Spring River Bridge, replaced in 2012, has very narrow shoulders. There are no plans to replace it now. With replacement of all other bridges on this section of Hwy 96 in this new project, the Spring River Bridge will remain in place as the main impediment to safe bicycle & pedestrian travel through this corridor. What are future plans to fix the Spring River Bridge to allow safe bike/ped access? Can we do anything in the meanwhile to improve access and safety?
- Plans are for a sidewalk on one side on the railroad bridge. How will pedestrians get to and from the sidewalk on the railroad bridge? Are crosswalks planned at each end of the bridge or at other locations? How about sidewalk connections?
- Will more sidewalk access be needed in this area now or in the future? Sidewalks on both sides of the bridges rather than just one side? Sidewalks on all of the bridges, rather than just one? Keep in mind that this is the only way for pedestrians and motorists to cross several difficult barriers.
- What is the planned speed limit? Can motor vehicle speeds be lowered through this section as the highway approaches town? Can MoDOT design this section of the highway to actually slow motor vehicle traffic, improving safety for people who walk and bicycle and for residents of the area?
- Hwy 96 from Carthage east to Springfield is historic Route 66 and we would like to see the official Bicycle Route 66 touring route use this section. But the combination of narrow shoulders and high traffic volume on Hwy 96 east of Carthage has made it impossible (Bicycle Route 66 takes a series of side roads to the north instead). Is MoDOT considering widening shoulders on Hwy 96 east of this project to improve motor vehicle safety and allow safe bicycle access--either now or in the future?
More information about Hwy 96 bridge replacement
Will the new bridges be safe and accessible for automobiles and for those of us to want to walk and bicycle? Because of the railroad tracks and Spring River, this is the only available bicycle and pedestrian route out of town towards the northeast--and Hwy 96 is also part of the national Bicycle Route 66 route through the area. So it is important that this section of Hwy 96 be safe and accessible for people who want and need to bicycle and walk there.
The preliminary plans we have seen look like a big improvement over current conditions:
- Plans for Bridge #1 (over the railroad tracks) include two 12-foot lanes, 6 foot shoulders, and a barrier-separated sidewalk on one side
- Plans for Bridge #3 (just NE of the Spring River) include two 12-foot lanes and 12 foot shoulders
- Bridge #2 is shorter, just SW of the Spring River. We understand that MoDOT is not planning to change or replace this bridge at this time.
Many thanks. When you take the time to speak up with MoDOT, it really does make a difference.
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