MoDOT to repair 800 bridges--what about bike/ped?

According to the Daily Journal:

The state's project list for the 800 bridges it will repair will cost between $400 and $600 million and will allow a single contractor to both design and build the bridge upgrades. The contractor is also to maintain them for at least 25 years.

The state will pay the contractor $40 million annually over the lifetime of the contract. No revenue bonds will be required.

Pete Rahn, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, estimates that more than 10 percent of the bridges in Missouri's system are structurally deficient. There are roughly 10,000 bridges in the state.

The question is, will these updated bridges including bicycle/pedestrian accommodation as appropriate?

A rough estimate by the Missouri Bicycle Federation is that providing bicycle and/or pedestrian accommodations on those bridges where it is needed may cost about $25 to $30 million out of this $400 to $600 million project.

Substandard bridges are a major impediment to safe bicycle and pedestrian travel in Missouri.

If you support campaigns like our effort to build bridges in Missouri that are safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, please consider joining MoBikeFed during our Fall membership drive. Every new MoBikeFed member helps our campaigns for better, safer conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians in Missouri.