Bi-state officials join forces to maximize federal aid for KC public works projects
Federal and local elected officials gathered Monday morning along the proposed route of a new bus rapid transit line to announce that they will work together to maximize the amount of federal money the area will receive from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that Congress passed and President Biden signed into law last year.
The effort would target projects along what officials have dubbed the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor. The area stretches from Independence to Kansas City, Kan., along Independence Avenue and Truman Road on the Missouri side of the state line, and State Avenue on the Kansas side.
The corridor has long been considered a key route for the area’s first east-west bus rapid transit line. It would tie into the three north-south express bus lines already operating in Kansas City. Those Metro Area Express (MAX) buses run along Main Street, Troost Avenue and Prospect Ave.
A number of other non-transit-oriented projects are also envisioned along the bi-state corridor, officials said in a news release..
In addition to electric buses and expanded transportation services, officials also hope to get federal financial support for more affordable housing, electric vehicle charging stations, better broadband access, workforce training, public safety projects and efforts to cut energy costs for schools and libraries.
No specific dollar figures or timelines were announced ahead of Monday’s 10 a.m. news conference. Those scheduled to speak are the two Democratic members of congress who represents the region — Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City and Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas’ 3rd District — and Jackson County Executive Frank White, Independence Mayor Eileen Weir and Tyrone Garner, the newly elected mayor of Kansas City, Kan.
Robbie Makinen, the CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, is also set to make remarks at the event being held at the Center for Medical Education Innovation at Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave.
This story was originally published February 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM.
