Work on Washington Avenue pedestrian tunnel in Springfield is complete - major bike/ped connecting point in Springfield | News-Leader

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:

Efforts to beautify and improve a north Springfield pedestrian tunnel on The Link where police say a woman was raped last year are finished, and Washington Avenue is back open to motorists.

City officials say the changes, including adding lights, building a decorative retaining wall and expanding parts of the sidewalk, will improve safety and walkability.

Eric Claussen, the city engineer who oversaw the improvements, said crews also made stormwater upgrades and did an overlay on Washington running beneath the BNSF railroad.

"This was a pretty high priority for us, not only from a safety benefit, but also from a walkability perspective," he said.

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Work on Washington Avenue pedestrian tunnel in Springfield is complete - major bike/ped connecting point in Springfield | News-Leader

MoBikeFed comment: This tunnel is on the Queen City Century route--and is on the route for many Springfield-area cyclists and pedestrians, because it is one of the few really bike/ped friendly crossings of the railroad tracks that cut through the city.

(In fact we had a do a quick re-route of QCC this year because construction vehicles were actively working in the area at the time.)

Congrats to the City of Springfield for completing an important and much-needed upgrade to this area.