Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation

With the list of transportation projects for the proposed statewide transportation tax--the first in Missouri history proposed to include bicycling, walking, and transit alongside roads and highways--set to be adopted by the Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission tomorrow, the mayors of Missouri's two largest cities have both endorsed the transportation proposal.

As the project list for the proposed $5 billion transportation funding plan has been proposed and finalized over the past several weeks, MoBikeFed has been systematically contacting MoDOT Districts and key transportation leaders around the state to talk about what is in the plan, what is missing, and what needs to be added or tweaked.   No plan this big and complex could possibly be perfect (MoDOT's Northwest District and the St Joseph area, in particular appear to have problems), but honestly, in general we have been heartened to see MoDOT adopting a much more thoroughgoing approach to transportation than they have in the past.  Project lists in most MoDOT district are somewhere between good and very good for people who bicycle, walk, or use transit--particularly when compared with previous MoDOT statewide funding lists, which generally have included no bicycle, pedestrian, or transit consideration whatsoever.

Here is what Mayor Slay of St Louis and Mayor James of Kansas City say.

Mayor Slay wrote:

11) Amendment 7 is a breakthrough for urban transportation policy in Missouri. For the first time ever, the state would support major funding not just for highways and bridges but also for special transportation needs and opportunities in cities like ours.

12) A 'Yes' vote would make state funding available for large-scale mass transit, pedestrian, cycling, greenways, access for the disabled, and “complete streets” projects in neighborhoods throughout the City of St. Louis.

13) St. Louis neighborhoods would be greatly strengthened by these projects, which are derived from The City of St. Louis' Sustainability Plan. Even critics of the tax concede St. Louis has a dazzling list of urban transportation projects that would promote vibrant streets and sidewalks, and connect people to jobs, education, cultural institutions, and recreation.

14) The benefits of a 'Yes' vote greatly outweigh the costs. Sales taxes are high. Like a gas tax, they are regressive. But the benefits of this 3/4 cent increase are real and immediate and will stay right here in the city, and would help all people in the City of St. Louis, including those with lower incomes and special needs.

Mayor James wrote an editorial in today's KCStar:

Here’s why I think this is a good deal for Kansas City:

First — the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) was responsive to the concerns of our citizens and elected officials, which has led to a vastly improved project list for Kansas City.

The productive conversations set a blueprint for how the city and the state can work together for everyone’s benefit.

Second — there are many transportation projects of great importance to Kansas City in the north, south, east and west. Given the political climate in Jefferson City, I don’t see any other way to fund these much-needed projects in the next 10 years.

Our infrastructure would be in worse shape by then and the price tag would undoubtedly be higher.

Just to name one project, Amendment 7 will fund a replacement for our outmoded Broadway Bridge and interchange. A signature bridge welcoming visitors and residents into our city is important. Improving traffic flow daily for Northlanders is a must.

In addition, MODOT has listened to the city and is evaluating the northern loop of I-70, which currently detaches our City Market from our Downtown. Working with MODOT, we have the ability to re-imagine the northern end of our downtown and improve traffic flow, open up opportunities for economic development, and reconnect our city for bikers and pedestrians.

Third — MODOT is going to make a significant investment in our plans to expand our bus and streetcar systems within the city. The city has negotiated with MODOT so that substantial funding from Amendment 7 will support the transportation expansion within the proposed Transportation Development District (TDD) without sales taxes within the TDD exceeding the proposed one-cent increase in that district.