Wheels and Heels – May 2003
Submitted by Brent Hugh on Wed, 06/04/2003 - 5:28am
E-mail news from MoDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Caryn Giarratano
Greetings, Windbenders!
Grip the bars tightly and lace your shoes snugly . . . there’s lots of news this month! The fluff info for this news report is that on April 5, I rode with Kevin Livingstone. Yes, the former Postie who was domestique for Jan Ulrich last year with Team Telekom. I even got his autograph! Mesa Cycles provided the opportunity for a group of about 40 cyclists to ride a 32-mile outback on Clayton Road. So sweet!
My serving as ride leader for beginner bike rides on the Katy Trail every Monday in April introduced some new folks to a wonderful activity . . . bicycling! I have been taking my show on the road with a PowerPoint presentation on bike/ped facilities. I have talked to local government officials in St. Joseph, to MoDOT project managers, to the American Planners’ Association, to traffic and safety engineers and to the state highway engineers association. On at least two occasions, I know I felt the earth move as the audience’s transportation paradigm shifted!
It was a delight for me to be asked to speak to local government folks and the public in Springfield and Columbia in celebration of National Bike to Work Month, Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day. I rode the Springfield Awareness Ride and joined the mayor of Columbia in celebrating the kick-off of Bike to Work Week at Flat Branch Park. I could easily get used to being given the red carpet treatment! Side note: The Springfield Dogwood Metric is a fantastic ride!
A subcommittee of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) called State Routes worked closely with the Missouri Bicycle Federation (MBF) to craft a top-notch draft of a state bike map to provide bike route connectivity across the state. (See it soon on the Missouri Bicycle Federation web site, www.mobikefed.org.) The routes are based on topography and traffic count. Bicyclists across the state will be asked by MBF to ground-test the proposed routes and make comments. There’s a hope the map will include indications of important information such as presence of paved shoulders, historic sites and traffic counts to allow bicyclists to make good decisions about where to ride. There are seven routes marked in orange to indicate bike freeways with connections to other state’s bike routes. Routes marked in blue are designed to provide connectivity with every city in Missouri. The efforts to use BCI/BLOS measures to identify the best roads have been hampered by the lack of a rural index model.
So . . . !!! MoDOT has hired a consultant to create a Rural BCI/BLOS and to use it to rate bike suitability on all state highways that are outside urbanized areas. Urban areas across the state have been creating bike maps for their communities. One day all these pieces will be put together to form a great state bike map!
The BPAC subcommittee on the Bike Safety Packet reported that the A to Z by Bike booklet has been chosen as the centerpiece of the bike safety packet. It is suggested that other materials should be included: a summary of bike statutes, off-road guidelines from International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), a DNR Katy Trail map and a copy of the web sites of Missouri bike clubs.
Other BPAC subcommittees were formed during the May 2003 meeting to address various issues: Rumble Strip Policy, Share the Road Policy, BP Legislation, Highway Patrol Web Site Update and the Missouri Driver Guide.
A MoDOT committee called District BP Contacts has been pedaling hard lately. Subcommittees of the group have met to discuss three national bike routes that cross the state: Mississippi River Trail, Lewis and Clark Trail and TransAmerica Trail. We discussed appropriate routes, possible improvements and potential problems. We plan to continue these discussions after the newly hired consultant (mentioned above) has designed a Rural BCI/BLOS for MoDOT roads.
Spotlight on District 7
District 7 is in the process of improving Range Line Road (Business Route 71) in Joplin, the most heavily traveled route in the district. In conjunction with several intersection projects, sidewalks are being added along each side of the route -- between and at intersections -- in an effort to improve pedestrian safety, particularly for motel guests trying to reach restaurants and other businesses.
The section of Range Line from Seventh Street to North Park Mall is complete. The intersection at 32nd Street is scheduled for 2003. In 2004, District 7 plans to improve the section from the Seventh Street intersection almost to 20th Street. In 2005, the intersection at 20th Street is planned for work, as well as the segment from south of 20th Street to south of 24th Street.
Spotlight on District 9
The local public agencies and District 9 have made tremendous progress in promoting pedestrian and bicycle pathways in South Central Missouri during the last five years.
Within the city limits of Arcadia, between the Taum Sauk Trail and Route 21 near Route M, a 1.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle pathway was built. This pathway provides a safer non-vehicle access from Arcadia Valley School to the City of Arcadia, the Grace Preschool and the Signer Senior Center. The pathway also connects the Taum Sauk and Ozark Trails to a primitive encampment for scouts by the way of Route M and Park Drive.
In 1995, a new bridge was built across the Current River in Carter County. When the old Current River bridge and walkway was torn down in 1996, pedestrians would walk along Route 60 to cross the river from North Van Buren to South Van Buren. In 2000, a walkway was constructed alongside the new Current River bridge to provide for safe passage over the Current River for local pedestrians and tourists.
The City of Rolla has developed an aggressive pedestrian and bicycle plan to meet the needs of the community. Rolla has already built a pedestrian and bicycle pathway that connects several schools, parks and commercial and residential areas. Some of the places this extensive grid connects include Buehler Park, UMR Golf Course, 11th Street Park, Rolla Senior High School and Junior High School, Ben Juan Park, Murry Park, Rolla Middle School, Rolla Technical Institute, Rolla Technical Center, Town and Country Park, Maggi Park, Ponzer Park, Wedgewood Park, Newcastle Park and the central business district.
There are other pedestrian and bicycle pathways that will be constructed within the next three years throughout District 9. The City of St. James has been working on the development of an eight-mile hard surface, shared-use path known as the St. James-Meramec Iron Works Trail. The pathway will begin at the St. James Community Park, will pass the Missouri Veteran’s Home, the Boys and Girls Town of Missouri and stop at the Meramec Spring Park.
The City of St. Robert is developing a pathway that will parallel the I-44 Spur from Fort Leonard Wood and connect to the existing two pathways at Business Route I-44.
During the summer of 2003, the City of Thayer plans to construct a sidewalk adjacent to Route 142 from the Thayer High School to the downtown sidewalk system. The pathway will include a crosswalk on Route 142 to connect it with a neighborhood on the south side of Route 142 and a pedestrian crosswalk with lights and activation buttons at the intersection of U. S. Route 63.
Spotlight on District 10
The City of Marble Hill constructed a 100-foot, single-span, pre-engineered pedestrian bridge with abutments on Route 34 (west of Route 51) over Crooked Creek to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The cost was about $200,000.
Southeast Missouri State University completed Phase I of the Parker Park and Ride Facility to improve connectivity to the transit system. The cost of about $355,000 included approximately $120,000 from the District 10 Enhancement Funds.
Cape Girardeau has completed phases I to IV of a recreational trail from Minnesota Avenue to Brink Street and Independence to Lexington. The 16,232.5-feet of multi-use path cost $537,605 and included a concrete or asphalt surface, slope protection, storm-water drainage, four footbridges and a retaining wall.
In Sam A Baker State Park in Wayne County, a 1.65-mile, 10-foot-wide paved multi-use path was constructed to link two campgrounds with the visitor center, the park store and the dining lodge. The path is adjacent to State Highway 143, which runs through the main public-use area of the park. The purpose was to provide for visitor safety and access to park facilities. The approximate cost was $325,000.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone you feel may be interested. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be added, please e-mail me your address information.
Tailwinds, Caryn
giarrc1 @ mail.modot.state.mo.us, 573-522-9297, POB 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270
Greetings, Windbenders!
Grip the bars tightly and lace your shoes snugly . . . there’s lots of news this month! The fluff info for this news report is that on April 5, I rode with Kevin Livingstone. Yes, the former Postie who was domestique for Jan Ulrich last year with Team Telekom. I even got his autograph! Mesa Cycles provided the opportunity for a group of about 40 cyclists to ride a 32-mile outback on Clayton Road. So sweet!
My serving as ride leader for beginner bike rides on the Katy Trail every Monday in April introduced some new folks to a wonderful activity . . . bicycling! I have been taking my show on the road with a PowerPoint presentation on bike/ped facilities. I have talked to local government officials in St. Joseph, to MoDOT project managers, to the American Planners’ Association, to traffic and safety engineers and to the state highway engineers association. On at least two occasions, I know I felt the earth move as the audience’s transportation paradigm shifted!
It was a delight for me to be asked to speak to local government folks and the public in Springfield and Columbia in celebration of National Bike to Work Month, Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day. I rode the Springfield Awareness Ride and joined the mayor of Columbia in celebrating the kick-off of Bike to Work Week at Flat Branch Park. I could easily get used to being given the red carpet treatment! Side note: The Springfield Dogwood Metric is a fantastic ride!
A subcommittee of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Council (BPAC) called State Routes worked closely with the Missouri Bicycle Federation (MBF) to craft a top-notch draft of a state bike map to provide bike route connectivity across the state. (See it soon on the Missouri Bicycle Federation web site, www.mobikefed.org.) The routes are based on topography and traffic count. Bicyclists across the state will be asked by MBF to ground-test the proposed routes and make comments. There’s a hope the map will include indications of important information such as presence of paved shoulders, historic sites and traffic counts to allow bicyclists to make good decisions about where to ride. There are seven routes marked in orange to indicate bike freeways with connections to other state’s bike routes. Routes marked in blue are designed to provide connectivity with every city in Missouri. The efforts to use BCI/BLOS measures to identify the best roads have been hampered by the lack of a rural index model.
So . . . !!! MoDOT has hired a consultant to create a Rural BCI/BLOS and to use it to rate bike suitability on all state highways that are outside urbanized areas. Urban areas across the state have been creating bike maps for their communities. One day all these pieces will be put together to form a great state bike map!
The BPAC subcommittee on the Bike Safety Packet reported that the A to Z by Bike booklet has been chosen as the centerpiece of the bike safety packet. It is suggested that other materials should be included: a summary of bike statutes, off-road guidelines from International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), a DNR Katy Trail map and a copy of the web sites of Missouri bike clubs.
Other BPAC subcommittees were formed during the May 2003 meeting to address various issues: Rumble Strip Policy, Share the Road Policy, BP Legislation, Highway Patrol Web Site Update and the Missouri Driver Guide.
A MoDOT committee called District BP Contacts has been pedaling hard lately. Subcommittees of the group have met to discuss three national bike routes that cross the state: Mississippi River Trail, Lewis and Clark Trail and TransAmerica Trail. We discussed appropriate routes, possible improvements and potential problems. We plan to continue these discussions after the newly hired consultant (mentioned above) has designed a Rural BCI/BLOS for MoDOT roads.
Spotlight on District 7
District 7 is in the process of improving Range Line Road (Business Route 71) in Joplin, the most heavily traveled route in the district. In conjunction with several intersection projects, sidewalks are being added along each side of the route -- between and at intersections -- in an effort to improve pedestrian safety, particularly for motel guests trying to reach restaurants and other businesses.
The section of Range Line from Seventh Street to North Park Mall is complete. The intersection at 32nd Street is scheduled for 2003. In 2004, District 7 plans to improve the section from the Seventh Street intersection almost to 20th Street. In 2005, the intersection at 20th Street is planned for work, as well as the segment from south of 20th Street to south of 24th Street.
Spotlight on District 9
The local public agencies and District 9 have made tremendous progress in promoting pedestrian and bicycle pathways in South Central Missouri during the last five years.
Within the city limits of Arcadia, between the Taum Sauk Trail and Route 21 near Route M, a 1.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle pathway was built. This pathway provides a safer non-vehicle access from Arcadia Valley School to the City of Arcadia, the Grace Preschool and the Signer Senior Center. The pathway also connects the Taum Sauk and Ozark Trails to a primitive encampment for scouts by the way of Route M and Park Drive.
In 1995, a new bridge was built across the Current River in Carter County. When the old Current River bridge and walkway was torn down in 1996, pedestrians would walk along Route 60 to cross the river from North Van Buren to South Van Buren. In 2000, a walkway was constructed alongside the new Current River bridge to provide for safe passage over the Current River for local pedestrians and tourists.
The City of Rolla has developed an aggressive pedestrian and bicycle plan to meet the needs of the community. Rolla has already built a pedestrian and bicycle pathway that connects several schools, parks and commercial and residential areas. Some of the places this extensive grid connects include Buehler Park, UMR Golf Course, 11th Street Park, Rolla Senior High School and Junior High School, Ben Juan Park, Murry Park, Rolla Middle School, Rolla Technical Institute, Rolla Technical Center, Town and Country Park, Maggi Park, Ponzer Park, Wedgewood Park, Newcastle Park and the central business district.
There are other pedestrian and bicycle pathways that will be constructed within the next three years throughout District 9. The City of St. James has been working on the development of an eight-mile hard surface, shared-use path known as the St. James-Meramec Iron Works Trail. The pathway will begin at the St. James Community Park, will pass the Missouri Veteran’s Home, the Boys and Girls Town of Missouri and stop at the Meramec Spring Park.
The City of St. Robert is developing a pathway that will parallel the I-44 Spur from Fort Leonard Wood and connect to the existing two pathways at Business Route I-44.
During the summer of 2003, the City of Thayer plans to construct a sidewalk adjacent to Route 142 from the Thayer High School to the downtown sidewalk system. The pathway will include a crosswalk on Route 142 to connect it with a neighborhood on the south side of Route 142 and a pedestrian crosswalk with lights and activation buttons at the intersection of U. S. Route 63.
Spotlight on District 10
The City of Marble Hill constructed a 100-foot, single-span, pre-engineered pedestrian bridge with abutments on Route 34 (west of Route 51) over Crooked Creek to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The cost was about $200,000.
Southeast Missouri State University completed Phase I of the Parker Park and Ride Facility to improve connectivity to the transit system. The cost of about $355,000 included approximately $120,000 from the District 10 Enhancement Funds.
Cape Girardeau has completed phases I to IV of a recreational trail from Minnesota Avenue to Brink Street and Independence to Lexington. The 16,232.5-feet of multi-use path cost $537,605 and included a concrete or asphalt surface, slope protection, storm-water drainage, four footbridges and a retaining wall.
In Sam A Baker State Park in Wayne County, a 1.65-mile, 10-foot-wide paved multi-use path was constructed to link two campgrounds with the visitor center, the park store and the dining lodge. The path is adjacent to State Highway 143, which runs through the main public-use area of the park. The purpose was to provide for visitor safety and access to park facilities. The approximate cost was $325,000.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone you feel may be interested. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be added, please e-mail me your address information.
Tailwinds, Caryn
giarrc1 @ mail.modot.state.mo.us, 573-522-9297, POB 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0270
Tags:
Join MoBikeFed's Advocacy Network
MoBikeFed is a statewide group of people like you, working together for better bicycling, walking, and trails in Missouri. When you join our advocacy network you receive occasional important advocacy alerts and bicycle, pedestrian, and trails news from around Missouri.
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Related pages
Current topics...
Archives...
- Home
- JOIN/DONATE
- News/Info
- Missouri Bicycling, Running, Trails
- Bicycle Skills and Safety
- Missouri Bike/Ped Law
- Clubs and Organizations
- Bike Shops
- Running Shops
- Bicycling, Running, Trails-related Businesses
- Ride, Run, Walk, Hike, Triathlon, and Events Calendars
- Bicycles on Amtrak
- Maps and Routes
- Trails and Trail Maps
- IBikeMO.org
- Planning a Missouri bicycle trip
- Gravel and Bikepacking Maps & Routes
- Bicycle & Touring Routes
- Advocacy
- Campaigns
- Our Legislative Platform
- Complete Streets
- Statewide Rock Island Trail
- Statewide Trail Vision - Quad State Trail
- Bicycle Friendly Missouri
- Walk Friendly Missouri
- Safe Routes to School
- MoDOT funding crisis
- High Priority Bike/Ped Project List
- Anti-harassment laws in cities & statewide
- Updating the basic bicycle law
- Our Vision for MoDOT
- Our Vision for MPOs/RPCs
- Our Vision for Cities & Counties
- Bicycle, pedestrian, trails plans across MO
- Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
- Vision Zero
- Missouri Trail Towns
- Store
- About