As Kansas City’s riverfront expands, so might the ways for pedestrians to get there
Kansas Citians could soon have two new connections to the rapidly evolving Missouri riverfront.
An ordinance funding construction of a pedestrian and bicycle bridge and expansion of the northbound streetcar line closer to the planned KC Current stadium advanced through a Kansas City Council committee unopposed Wednesday. Its next stop is the City Council for final approval.
Here’s what to know about the proposed projects, which in total will cost about $32.5 million.
Pedestrian and bicycle bridge
Right now, pedestrians trying to get from City Market to the Riverfront have two options: the Town of Kansas Bridge or the Grand Boulevard viaduct, which was designed for cars only.
A new pedestrian bridge over Grand Boulevard would make parks, businesses and apartments along the Missouri River more accessible to City Market.
The $4 million project, expected to take three years, would be among the latest additions to the riverfront, where more apartments, a new concert venue and a new stadium for the Kansas City Current, the NWSL women’s pro-soccer team, are expected within the next couple years.
The KCATA said they might be able to use federal funds, matched locally, to cover this project, which is still in design stage.
KC Streetcar expansion
In September 2020, Kansas City was awarded $14.2 million in federal funds to extend the streetcar line north from the City Market to the riverfront.
This half-mile addition will bring the streetcar across Grand Boulevard viaduct and to a stop at the riverfront near Union Berkley Riverfront apartments.
Now the city is looking to contribute an additional $6 million toward this expansion, bringing the total to $20.2 million.
Jason Waldron, transportation director in Kansas City’s Public Works department, told the council’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee that the additional money is needed to expand the streetcar a little further east, closer to the new stadium, and to cover rising costs resulting from supply chain issues.
Tom Gerend, Executive Director of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority, said they’re looking to cover the additional costs through federal funds.
The streetcar starter line begins near City Market and runs two miles south along Main Street to Union Station. A southern extension is currently underway, which will take it another 3.5 miles, ending at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard in front of UMKC.
Infrastructure improvements
The KCATA has set aside $22.5 million from the public mass transportation sales tax and COVID relief funds for citywide improvements to transportation infrastructure.
This money, which will be given to the city in two installments over the next two fiscal years, can be used for projects like traffic signal upgrades, road resurfacing, bus stop pads and lighting.
Committee member and Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, District 3, said she hopes some of the money could go toward east side improvements, including protected bike lanes on 23rd Street, better intersections near the Prospect Avenue MAX bus stations at Linwood Boulevard and East 31st Street and sidewalk upgrades adjacent to the bus stops.
Councilwoman Teresa Loar, 2nd District at-large, asked that some money go toward building benches and shelters at Northland bus stops.
The Star’s Kevin Hardy contributed.
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 1:35 PM.
