MoDOT proposing to add bicycle lanes & sidewalks to Mark Twain Ave through Hannibal

The MoDOT Northeast District sent this press release today about plans to change the configuration of mark Twain Avenue through Hannibal to improve sidewalks and add bicycle lanes: 

Proposed new configuration of Mark Twain Ave through Hannibal will include continuous bicycle lanes and sidewalks

The public meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, prior to the Hannibal City Council meeting.  The public meeting will be held in the lobby of City Hall, 302 Broadway, Hannibal, until 7:30 p.m. and will be an open-house style meeting, so no formal presentation will be made.  Those interested are encouraged to come any time between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

MoDOT and the City will present the proposed improvements of reducing Mark Twain Avenue to three lanes from the overpass at I-72 to the Hannibal Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the addition of bicycle lanes on either side, and sidewalk improvements.  In addition to these improvements, all of that section and MO 79 to Stowell School will be resurfaced, except for the viaduct.  "The project is still in the design phase, and we would like to hear the thoughts of those who use this road before any decisions are finalized," explained MoDOT Area Engineer Brian Haeffner.  "We think the change from a five-lane section that serves motor vehicles to a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly configuration best meets the needs of the community going forward, yet we are open to other ideas," he added.

Several representatives from MoDOT and the City of Hannibal will be available to answer questions at the public meeting.  All displays available at the meeting will be online beginning Tuesday, May 6 at www.modot.org/northeast, or those interested can call 573-248-2490 for customer service to get more information.  Anyone interested in receiving email updates about this project can go to the web site and subscribe to the e-update alert system under the "Travelers" tab.

MoDOT has been working to better incorporate bicycling and walking in all of their projects throughout the state, where appropriate, after adopting a new statewide transportation plan that integrates bicycling and walking along with all other transportation modes.

If your part of the state is not including needed bicycle and pedestrian elements in new projects, please be sure to get involved in your region's transportation planning process, which is going on right now in regional transportation planning agencies across Missouri.  For the first time ever this process is completely integrating bicycling and walking, but local agencies need to hear from you about what your needs and priorities are.

For more information about the Mark Twain Ave proposal, view MoDOT's PDF summary of the project.