Regional Alternatives Analysis Corridor Studies
Local officials and transit providers in the Kansas City area have been working on planning and implementing an expanded regional transit system. The Smart Moves regional transit vision identifies a combination of urban and commuter service needs.
The Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City, Mo.; Jackson County, Mo.; and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority are studying options for transit circulator service in downtown Kansas City, Mo., and commuter transit service in Jackson County, Mo., funded in large part by a $1.8 million competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation in December 2010.
The two separate "alternatives analysis" studies will help local officials select preferred service options based on the benefits, costs and impacts of investments that could address transportation needs in the following corridors:
Downtown Corridor
The Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis will evaluate alternatives for a transit circulator system connecting Crown Center and Union Station with the Crossroads District, downtown Kansas City, and the River Market area — representing the region's most travelled and densely populated corridor.
Jackson County Corridors
The Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis will evaluate commuter transit service options in the Interstate 70 and Rock Island (Missouri Route 350) corridors. The corridors run through the cities of Independence, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Odessa, Raytown, Lee's Summit, Greenwood and Pleasant Hill.
What is an Alternatives Analysis?
An alternative analysis study identifies, compares, and assesses the available options to address a given need. This information is used to identify the locally preferred alternative, which is the project that is determined to best addresses the community's needs. Alternative analysis studies explore a range of issues related to the implementation of a project including cost (capital, operation, and maintenance), financing, location, user friendliness, etc.
Study Area
