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G8.1 Project title:
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23rd Street Pedestrian Connection (Phase 1)
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G8.2 Project description: |
This project will construct new sidewalks, pedestrian signal upgrades, sidewalk ramps, and street trees on both sides of 23rd Street (M-78) between Lee’s Summit Road and Missouri Highway 291. Future phases will extend pedestrian facilities east to Speck Road to serve the Independence Middle School complex and other activity centers. The goal is to better serve all transportation modes and provide more interconnectivity between pedestrian and bicyclists to bus routes along the principal arterial. Currently, the corridor is designed to serve motorized vehicles; bicyclists have marked facilities, while pedestrians have an incomplete sidewalk on the north side of 23rd Street. No sidewalks exist on the south side. The system doesn’t adequately accommodate mobility aid users, where several transit stops exist along the route but no sidewalk continuity. This project will create interconnectivity for all transportation modes and make it ADA compliant and transit-user friendly.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Kati Horner Gonzalez, City Engineer
Public Works Engineering Department
111 East Maple Avenue
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 325-6217
KHorner@IndepMO.org
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G1. Project Type: |
Non-Motorized Transportation - Facilities and SRTS Infrastructure
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G2. Funding Stream: |
TAP
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G3. TIP Number: |
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G4. State: |
Missouri
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G5. Project county: |
1. Jackson
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G6. Project municipality: |
1. Independence
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G7. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
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No
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G8.4 Purpose and need:
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Sidewalks within the project limits are very sporadic; as commercial developments come into the area, sidewalks are required along their frontage. A majority of the project, however, is adjacent to existing residential neighborhoods, which pre-dated the requirement for sidewalk installations. Recently, the City’s Water Department replaced and relocated the water main on the south side of the project limits. Before the Water Department’s project, several of the fire hydrants were placed in conflict with the best alignment of sidewalk in this corridor. The new water main alignment has eliminated a majority of this concern. The purpose of this project will be to provide a complete, uninterrupted sidewalk to provide more transportation options and accessibility for those living and working along and near the vicinity of the proposed project.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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23rd Street (M-78 Highway)
Lees Summit Road
M-291 Highway
0.62
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G10. Functional Classification:
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Principal Arterial
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G11. In Transportation Outlook 2040?
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No
Decade:
--Select--
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G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
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Yes
The Missouri Department of Transportation, as part of their previous overlay of the route in 2013, began working to fill in gaps and implementing ADA compliant ramps in the existing sidewalk network along the 23rd Street corridor. This area was not included in that project. The proposed project continues these efforts along 23rd Street.
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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Yes
Project is included in the City of Independence 2018-2024 Capital Improvements Program.
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G14. Planning stage:
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Conceptual Plan
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G15. Reviewed by state DOT?
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No
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G16. Right-of-Way acquisition: |
All acquired or none needed
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G17. ROW by local public agency process manual?
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Yes
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G18. Other unique local goals and objectives?
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Yes
This project ties into the Citys Strategic Plan 2017-2021, adopted in February 2017, committing to quality infrastructure that promotes growth and reflects a customer-focused culture. It is the goal of the City of Independence to provide transportation options along 23rd Street (M-78) from the west city limits to Speck Road (approximately 1 mile east of Missouri State Highway 291). The proposed project will connect to existing sidewalks to the west that extend westward towards Interstate 435. Along with the use of existing bike facilities, this project will continue the City’s efforts in accordance with the adopted Complete Streets policies.
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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The 23rd Street Pedestrian Connection project would serve disadvantaged populations by providing more transportation options with ADA compliant pedestrian facilities and better access to public transit. According to MARC’s GIS data, the area along the entire southern boundary is classified as an environmental justice tract.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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The project was presented to the Independence City Council and support was given to pursue project funding. Transportation responses from the survey Independence 2030: A Comprehensive Plan, 92.7% of respondents indicated a level of importance when asked "How important is it to you to have a transportation system with all modes of transportation...that connect with each other allowing you to travel throughout the city any way you choose?" [somewhat important = 14.2%; fairly = 20.5%; very = 58.0%]. 2010 Independence Parks & Recreation Community Interests and Needs survey revealed that 33% of those surveyed had used of visited walking and biking trails not located within parks.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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Continued engagement with the public for the 23rd Street project would occur through the City website, City 7 TV channel, CityScene (a newsletter publication available both online and hard copy distributed with monthly utility bills) and via public meeting(s) during project plan development.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living-----------
Complete Street Design---------------
----Green Infrastructure-----------
----------------
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----Tree PreservationUnique Community Characteristics
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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Creating a complete sidewalk network helps to promote walkable neighborhoods and access to activity centers. Promoting safe travel for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, motorists, and mobility aid users will be enhanced with transportation mode separation and installation of street trees, where applicable. Promoting green infrastructure by installing street trees and looking for opportunities to include rain gardens, bioswales, or other green infrastructure devices with help promote usage of stormwater quality best management practices.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
This project advances the connected community aspect of the PSP and CSP initiatives by providing better, safer access to public bus transit and also by creating a designated space for pedestrians that is separate from the existing motorized vehicular transportation system.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
High-Intensity and More_Walkable Centers
The 23rd Street project directly serves two moderately intense/walkable activity centers on both ends of the project. For residential housing options, both single family and multi-family facilities, including two senior living facilities. Sidewalks along the corridor will connect pedestrian transportation options between these two activity centers, promoting healthy living. At the east end of the project exists a water park with sidewalks currently extended down to 23rd Street. Connecting this facility to the neighborhood creates a more vibrant corridor, giving equitable access to the activity centers of this area.
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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Yes
According to MARC’s GIS data, the area south of the entire length of the proposed project is classified as an environmental justice tract. Walkers have been witnessed using the edge of pavement as the walking surface where sidewalks are not available and a dirt path exists along the south side of the road where pedestrians frequently walk. This lack of safe separation is dangerous for not only the pedestrian but the motorists as well. Providing additional transportation choices are critical to aid residents with shopping options, connection to transit opens up job opportunities.
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
With the availability of sidewalks residents will have a safer option to reach their destinations along this corridor, promoting more green modes of transportation. By improving access to current transit stops, use of transit as a viable alternate transportation mode would increase.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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On both sides of the route within the residential areas, mature deciduous trees are abundant. According to the MARC GIS data, trees between S Trail Ridge Drive and Ellison Way are marked as medium priority for forest conservation priorities. Throughout the commercial zoned areas, existing trees, shrubs, and other landscaping plants have been installed as part of these business development requirements. The project will remain within the existing 23rd Street right-of-way and landscaping amenities will be saved. Street trees will be included in the design as areas permit and placement is feasible.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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23rd Street borders both the Spring Branch Watershed to the north and the Crackerneck Watershed to the south. With the forest restoration priority, street trees would be planted along the corridor as a restorative measure. Installing a permanent, non-erodible sidewalk, will help to improve water quality where the existing unimproved paths are barren/erodible surfaces. Other green infrastructure options that will be evaluated would be the use of bioswales for drainage off the roadway, and rain gardens to help add separation from the motorist travelway, and promote the use of native landscaping. Implementing green infrastructure that promotes infiltration and groundwater re-charge help to minimize long term maintenance efforts for the project’s longevity, and promotes better water quality for both the Spring Branch and Crackerneck Creek Watersheds.
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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The latest comprehensive plan, Imagine Independence 2040, currently under development has identified one of the top goals of City to make it "Easier to get around for all users, including transit, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists." This is also found as a recurring theme from the previous Comprehensive Plan (1993). The City of Independence adopted the complete streets policy in June 2011, which emphasizes the Citys commitment to projects that promote transportation choices and economic vitality.
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G30.1 Complies with MARC’s CSP?
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Yes
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G30.2 Exception to the MARC CSP?
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No
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Traveler Type (All Ages & Abilities)
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Pedestrians:
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Mobility Aids:
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Bicyclists:
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Transit Riders:
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Cars:
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Trucks:
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Motorcycles:
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Buses:
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Green Streets:
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