Complete Katy Trail close to reality

Trail advocates envision trail benefiting communities throughout Missouri as it stretches from St. Louis Arch to Liberty Memorial in Kansas City and beyond

Quad State Trail System--click for full-sized map

You can help make the Complete Katy Trail a reality--make your voice heard in two minutes here.

Two years ago it looked like there was no chance the Katy Trail would ever make the connection to Kansas City. Now, all the stars are aligning.

The significance of this connection goes well beyond the Kansas City region. The Complete Katy Trail will be the backbone of a system that reaches to communities throughout Missouri and into a four-state region.

AmerenUE owns the crucial connecting link, a 65-mile section of the former Rock Island Railroad stretching from the Katy Trail at Windsor to Pleasant Hill near Kansas City.

When Ameren's Taum Sauk dam failed on December 14th, 2005, the situation changed. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has come out strongly in favor of Ameren giving trail rights to the Rock Island railroad as partial repayment to the people of Missouri for the destruction caused by the flood.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has always favored a trail connection to Kansas City and they, too, have worked to have trail use of the Rock Island included as part of Ameren's reparations.

Attorney General Jay Nixon, a long time supporter of the Katy Trail, is leading negotiations with Ameren.

The corporation has a powerful incentive to come to a civil settlement that satisfies officials and the public. If the Attorney General pursues legal charges against the corporation their insurance coverage of the damages could be lost.

The Taum Sauk disaster affected the state parks system--a system supported by citizens across the entire state. It only makes sense that some reparations focus directly on the area devastated, but some should have a general benefit for all citizens of Missouri. Missourians from across the state will not be satisfied with a settlement that benefits only one small portion of the state.

Ameren is now talking with the city of Windsor on a smaller, related trail project and has issued statements indicating there is the possibility of discussion on the larger Rock Island segment.

This could be a win-win situation for Ameren. They could retain their utility easements and the right to reactivate the railway line in the future while granting a trail easement. If the railroad is reactivated the trail can remain alongside as a 'rails with trails' project.

Ameren can protect their business interests in the corridor while making a gesture that will garner the good will of citizens across the state, demonstrate their commitment to the public welfare, and create a legacy that will last for generations.

Well over 2000 citizens have written, called, or emailed Ameren and DNR asking them to support the Katy Trail Connection.

The Missouri Bicycle Federation would like another 1000 citizens to contact Ameren this fall. Citizens can show their support for the Complete Katy Trail by visiting:

http://MoBikeFed.org/CompleteTheKaty

A complete Katy Trail would have a tremendous economic benefit to the entire state maintains Hugh. The Katy Trail forms the backbone of a huge interconnecting trail system encompassing four states and over 700 miles--a trail system that will be the envy of the world.

A map developed by the Missouri Bicycle Federation shows the Quad State Trail connecting St. Louis, Hermann, Washington, Jefferson City, Columbia, Springfield, Sedalia, Clinton, Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Maryville with Topeka, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Lawrence.

Other connections to Missouri cities are possible, too. It is difficult to imagine another project that could benefit this many Missouri communities coming with such a low price tag," says Hugh. "The connection to Kansas City is the key to making all this happen.

The original Katy Trail was built at a cost of $6 million and generated over $6 million in economic development within its first year.

Article Resources

• Quad-State Trail Map
  
  
• What a Katy Trail Connection to Kansas City might look like
  
  
• The Complete Katy Trail is the backbone of the 700 mile Quad State Trail Vision
  
  
• The Washington Times covers the Katy Trail Connection
  
  
• Rails with trails are actually safer than just rails
  
  
• Economic benefits of trails and greenways