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Downtown streetcar project advances on Main Street
In January, the Mid-America Regional Council amended Transportation Outlook 2040, the region's long-range transportation plan, to update Project #398 Kansas City Streetcar. It identifies streetcar service on Main Street between River Market and Crown Center as the "locally preferred alternative," which was the result of the Kansas City Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis study. The description also includes a general plan to finance the project. Amendment details
The Kansas City region has studied rail service in the downtown area for years, but this is the first time options have been narrowed to an agreed-on alignment downtown with broad community support.
The city of Kansas City, Mo., is ready to move the downtown streetcar project into advanced conceptual engineering. The city council approved two resolutions that would let voters in a proposed Transportation Development District decide whether to make the district a quasi-governmental entity, and whether to increase sales and property taxes in it to help pay for the majority of the streetcar plan. Federal funds will also be sought.
The target for opening the streetcar service is April 2015, depending on funding availability.
Learn about the study | Submit a comment | News coverage
KC region studying commuter transit options for eastern corridors
The Mid-America Regional Council is partnering with Jackson County, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to study the Interstate 70 east and Rock Island commuter corridors to identify expanded transit service options for Greater Kansas City. Learn about the study | Submit a comment
U.S. Highway 71/Grandview corridor alternatives analysis begins in 2012
The consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff has been selected to conduct an alternatives analysis for the U.S. Highway 71/Grandview corridor in Jackson County down to Belton, Mo. The study will be integrated with other commuter corridor alternatives analyses underway in Jackson County — also led by Parsons Brinckerhoff — and downtown Kansas City, Mo. The study, which begins in early 2012, will be funded largely by a $652,200 competitive grant from the Federal Highway Administration. Grant announcement news release
TIGER award invests millions in regional transit corridors
Greater Kansas City's $50 million TIGER federal stimulus grant is funding transportation infrastructure enhancements in the Green Impact Zone, as well as regional transit corridor investments in Kansas and Missouri. These include the U.S. 24 and U.S. 40 corridors in eastern Jackson County, Mo.; the North Oak corridor north of the Missouri River; the State Avenue corridor in Kansas City, Kan.; and the Metcalf/ Shawnee Mission Parkway corridor in Johnson County. TIGER website
Smart Moves transit implementation plans move forward
The Mid-America Regional Council is working with local elected officials and transit operators to evaluate specific urban and commuter transit corridors, recommend implementation plans, and identify costs to build and operate new services. About the study
The Phase III: Integration part of the study will integrate the urban and commuter transit systems, and develop financial strategies to support implementation. Overview
The Phase II: Commuters Corridors study draft report assesses commuter-rail opportunities and other modal options, and define short- and long-term regional commuter service strategies. Draft report
The Phase I: Urban Corridors study final report lays out a recommended plan to implement and coordinate seamless bus rapid transit service in seven major transportation corridors. Final report