ALERT: MoDOT asking for public comment on hundreds of proposed projects - comment deadline Dec 22nd - How you can help in 5 minutes
MoDOT has just released a massive list of proposed projects and needed projects - many or most of which will be funded by the recent federal infrastructure bill and other newly available funding. The purpose of the prioritized list of projects was to get ahead of the proposed federal funding so that Missouri would have a good idea of how this funding - and any future funding that may be received - will be spent.
MoDOT is asking for public comment on their project list - a list that includes many roads, highways, and bridges and also a large number of pedestrian, bicycle, trail, transit, rail, airport, and other projects.
Deadline for public comment is December 22nd.
Full details here - but if you want one simple thing to do that will make a HUGE difference here it is:
- #1. Submit a comment to MoDOT by December 22nd using this online form: https://www.modot.org/submit-comments
- #2. In your comment, introduce yourself and give a brief reason or two you feel bicycling and walking are important.
- #3. Ask MoDOT to fund and support these important statewide bicycle, pedestrian, and trails projects - which are not found in the current list:
- Fund the statewide Rock Island Trail project - Now that Missouri State Parks owns the 144-mile Rock Island corridor from Windsor to Beaufort, literally every segment and every potential project along that trail is an unfunded need and should be listed
- Hire a full-time statewide bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, one MoDOT employee working full time and solely dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian policy, planning, issues, and projects
- Create and implement the long-delayed statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Complete Streets standards
- A requirement to create these plans along funding to complete these plans is included in the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In accordance with the requirements of that bill and identified needs across Missouri, MoDOT should complete these four key plans:
- A statewide bicycle/pedestrian plan
- A prioritized list of projects to accompany the bicycle/pedestrian plan
- Statewide Complete Streets standards and/or policy
- A prioritized list of projects to accompany the Complete Streets Standards/Policy
- Create a statewide bicycle map and update it regularly
- Install wayfinding signage U. S. Bicycle Routes 66 and 51, the American Discovery Trail, and the Butterfield Stage Experience trail, across Missouri
- Implement a statewide grant program or other focussed plan and program to improve roads, shoulders, and bicycle safety on all Missouri U.S. Bicycle Routes
- Implement all remaining projects statewide in the Sidewalk Assessment program
- Expand the statewide sidewalk assessment program to a broader range of communities statewide
- Fund the statewide Rock Island Trail project - Now that Missouri State Parks owns the 144-mile Rock Island corridor from Windsor to Beaufort, literally every segment and every potential project along that trail is an unfunded need and should be listed
- #4. Ask MoDOT to carefully examine each road, highway, and bridge project on the list and ensure that these standards are implemented:
- Bridges, overpasses, underpasses, and causeways include appropriate pedestrian and bicycle accommodations as needed in each location and context.
- Accommodation can include separated bike/ped paths, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and/or shoulders.
- Accommodation should be proportional to context, demand, and need. But for example, suitable bicycle and pedestrian facilities should be included on every bridge, overpass, and underpass in populated areas on routes where bicycling and walking is allowed.
- Roads and highways should include appropriate pedestrian and bicycle accommodation.
- For example, roads and highway projectes where demand for walking and bicycling is demonstrated - such as any road and highway in or near a populated area where bicycling and/or walking is permitted - should include sidewalks, crosswalks, and bicycle lanes or bicycleable shoulders (i.e., 4 feet shoulder clear space or more, depending on traffic, speeds, etc)
- MoDOT should take the opportunity of an improved funding environment to improve shoulder and rumble strip design and implementation to improve safety for all road users.
- Wider shoulders should be installed wherever possible. Wider shoulders improve safety for all road users.
- MoDOT should discontinue the use of very narrow shoulders with rumble strips, which decrease access and safety for people who bicycle and increase conflicts between people who drive and those who bicycle.
- MoDOT should follow FHWA guidance, strongly supported by Missouri's bicycle community, which states, "In rural areas, paved shoulders should be included in all new construction and reconstruction projects on roadways used by more than 1,000 vehicles per day . . . Rumble strips are not recommended where shoulders are used by bicyclists unless there is a minimum clear path of four feet in which a bicycle may safely operate."
- One some Missouri roads, a minimum shoulder clear space beyond the rumble strip of three feet may be usable by bicyclists.
- However, in locations with rumble strips and less than three feet shoulder clear space, bicyclists cannot safely ride on the shoulder or near the rumble strip and will instead ride towards the center of the travel lane. This situation should be avoided by slightly narrowing the rumble strip and widening the shoulder and making other minor adjustments to meet federal recommendations and allow people who bicycle to operate safely in this location, or by omitting rumble strips in this location.
- MoDOT should follow FHWA guidance, strongly supported by Missouri's bicycle community, which states, "In rural areas, paved shoulders should be included in all new construction and reconstruction projects on roadways used by more than 1,000 vehicles per day . . . Rumble strips are not recommended where shoulders are used by bicyclists unless there is a minimum clear path of four feet in which a bicycle may safely operate."
- MoDOT should implement periodic gaps in rumble strips and other best practices such as those recommended here.
- Bridges, overpasses, underpasses, and causeways include appropriate pedestrian and bicycle accommodations as needed in each location and context.
Details about each of these points and why they are important on the MoBikeFed web site.
If you would like to take more time and respond specifically to the list of projects proposed for your area, here are our suggestions.
Thank you! When you take a few minutes to let MoDOT know what you think, it really makes a positive difference.
Working to build citizen support for statewide bicycle, pedestrian, and trail funding, planning, and policy, and keeping people across Missouri informed about opportunity for public comment on important projects is one way MoBikeFed helps build a world-class bicycle and pedestrian network across Missouri, improve safety for all road users, encourage more people to walk and bicycle more often, and build a statewide movement in support of bicycling and walking in Missouri.
And those are exactly the four major goals of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri.
Your ongoing membership and generous financial support helps turn our Vision into reality. Thank you!
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