New US 69 Bridge in KC area to include bike/ped path; opens Dec 1, 2016 | MoDOT

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

The southbound Route 69 Bridge, commonly referred to as the Fairfax Bridge, was built in 1933. The northbound Route 69 Bridge, commonly referred to as the Platte Purchase Bridge, was built in 1957. Both were built to accommodate the type, size, and weight of vehicles at the time of construction, and were not designed for the high volume and heavy weight limits of truck traffic that you typically find today within the heavy industrial zone where these bridges are located. Narrow lanes and load limitations restrict the use of each bridge by overweight and oversized vehicles. Because of their age, both structures require frequent maintenance and costly repairs, causing motorists further delay.

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New US 69 Bridge in KC area to include bike/ped path; opens Dec 1, 2016 | MoDOT

MoBikeFed comment: Creating bicycle & pedestrian access on this major new river bridge was a high priority for all local bicycle, pedestrian, and trails groups.

The KC area Major River Crossings policy called for routine bicycle & pedestrian accessibility on area bridges whenever the bridge made key connections to population centers, businesses, or schools. This bridge, as the only major crossing point for miles in either direction, and near several KC-area communities and neighborhoods, certainly qualified under this policy:

http://mobikefed.org/2006/04/kansas-city-river-crossings-policy-passes-u...

Kudos to MoDOT and KDOT for creating a major new bike/ped access point across the river, to the cities and agencies who supported their work, and to KC-area advocacy group BikeWalkKC for successfully advocating for the new river crossing.

http://bikewalkkc.org/advocacy/us69bridges/