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G8.1 Project title:
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Little Blue Trace/Rock Island Connector
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G8.2 Project description: |
Our project includes 0.43 miles of ADA accessible 10 foot width concrete trail connecting the Little Blue Trace trail from the 350 Hwy and Noland Road area to the new Rock Island SUP currently under construction. The project is for non-motorized use by bicyclists and pedestrians. The project will link existing trails and eliminate barriers by providing a grade separated under-crossing of Noland Road and a 200 foot long bridge over the Little Blue River. The two trails, LBT and Rock Island, are both long time priority segments of the MetroGreen Plan. This project will connect them and provide increased opportunity for recreational, economic and transportation alternative usages, including connection to the planned redevelopment of the 350/Noland Road activity center/TOD.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Bruce Wilke, Landscape Architect, Jackson County Parks + Rec
22807 Woods Chapel Road
Blue Springs, Mo. 64015
816-503-4802
bwilke@jacksongov.org
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G1. Project Type: |
Non-Motorized Transportation - Recreation Trails
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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. Kansas City, MO
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G7. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
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Yes
This project will be jointly funded by Jackson County, Missouri and the City of Kansas City.
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G8.4 Purpose and need:
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Additional trail miles are listed at or near the top of needed facilities in the latest Missouri SCORP Plan. The LBT and Rock Island corridors both form a backbone to which trails from other communities connect for linkage as a more complete system. The regionally significant Rock Island SUP is currently under construction and will be completed in 2019. Existing sections of the LBT trail are less than one mile away. Obtaining the Rock Island corridor has long been a high ranking priority for the entire Kansas City metropolitan area. Now that the RI is actually under construction, connecting other trails is a very high priority for funding. This project furthers numerous goals outlined in several major initiative plans, such as MetroGreen, Transportation 2040, Smart Moves 3.0, Creating Sustainable Places, and Kansas Citys Little Blue Valley Area Plan. In addition, the LBT/RI connection will provide new access to existing transit services on 350 Hwy.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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G10. Functional Classification:
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Not Applicable
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G11. In Transportation Outlook 2040?
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Yes
Decade:
2020
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G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
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Yes
This project ties into project #435 in the Transportation Outlook 2040 plan. The stated goal of project #435 is to "plan, design, and construct new park and ride lots in the Kansas City metropolitan area". Some of these facilities will be constructed by KCATA along the Rock Island corridor. The KCATA in partnership with Jackson County purchased the RI corridor with the express purpose of expanding transit options along the corridor as outlined in the Smart Moves initiative and the Creating Sustainable Places plan. The Little Blue Trace connection will create an opportunity for many additional users to utilize these new transit options. In addition, this project is listed as a priority in Kansas Citys adopted Little Blue Valley Area Plan.
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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Yes
This project connects to the Rock Island Corridor, a key trail and transit corridor listed in the Smart Moves Regional transit Plan. The LBT trail was included as a priority corridor in the Trails KC Plan. Initial segments of the LBT were funded by Kansas City in 2016 and installed in 2017. Jackson County and KC have cooperative agreements to fund and construct trails in both the LBT and Blue River Parkway corridors. The LBT trail is also included in the 2014-2018 Jackson County Capital Improvement plan. . The LBT trail is also included in the 2014-2018 Jackson County Capital Improvement plan. The Little Blue Trace Trail is also included in Kansas City’s Little Blue Valley Park Master Plan.
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G14. Planning stage:
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Preliminary 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
Goals furthered by this project:
• Creating Sustainable Places initiative as it directly involves one of the six initial corridors chosen.
• Transportation Outlook 2040 plan; project #435. The stated goal of which is to "plan, design, and construct new park and ride lots in the Kansas City metropolitan area". The KCATA, in partnership with Jackson County, purchased the RI corridor with the express purpose of expanding mobility hubs, as outlined in the Smart Moves initiative and the Sustainable Places plan. One such facility will be constructed at the 350/Noland area.
• County and KCATA Transit Oriented Development (TOD) by making it more convenient to travel on foot, bicycle or by public transportation reducing reliance on the car.
• The project will implement several priorities in the KC Little Blue Valley Area Plan, including protecting natural resources along the river corridor and connecting neighborhoods to existing transit options on 350 Hwy.
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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Since this is a non-motorized use trail, the greatest benefit will be to low income and persons living in zero-car households. The project creates a link to multi-modal transit services planned along the Rock Island transportation corridor by KCATA and existing services on 350 Hwy. The new trail will provide access to park and ride facilities in Raytown as well as other planned developments such as Paragon Star in Lee’s Summit. There will be no negative impact since the project increases mobility choices for populations that do not drive and will not remove any options. The project will improve the quality-of-life for non-driving populations with services and amenities and housing choices that are accessible by transit.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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A high level public interest in this project surfaced during the two public open-house meetings which were held during the design phase of the Rock Island project in 2017. These meetings provided an opportunity to inform and consult with the public as to their input on the project and how it should connect to the LBT and other trails. Meeting notification announcements were placed on social media via Facebook and twitter as well as public service announcements on local television media. Many attendees were already familiar with the existing portion of the LBT trail, so at each RI meeting there was much interest expressed by the public as to when and how the trails would connect. As a result of the high interest level it was decided this project would be our highest priority. This priority designation was reinforced at an additional public hearing hosted by Jackson County in February 2018 at which the development of shared use trails was listed as a high priority by attendees.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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Ongoing public engagement will continue mainly through use of social media platforms. Facebook live postings have been utilized to present and explain projects and encourage input. Survey monkey has been utilized to solicit public input and comment on projects. Jackson County receives numerous questions and requests for information via Facebook and email regarding when the project will be constructed. Public hearings will also be held as part of the project development process with the Jackson County Legislature. We will also make this project a part of public presentations that are given several times a year to groups such as local Chambers of Commerce and civic clubs.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living-----------
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----Green Infrastructure-------Integrated Trail System---
----Natural Resources Protection-------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
Renewable Energy---------------
Transit-Ready Corridors---Tree PreservationUnique Community Characteristics
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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Active Transportation/Living & Green Infrastructure is promoted through more options for recreation, exercise, and transportation with more social and physical activity into daily routines, increasing quality-of-life and reducing environmental impacts.
An Integrated Trail System is provided by extending the LBT trail along the Little Blue River linking recreational, exercise and transit opportunities through connection to the RI trail as well as other City parks and activity centers promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Natural Resources are better protected. Recently, mature black walnut trees have been illegally poached from the area.
Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm and Transit-Ready Corridors are enhanced by improved mobility with better integrated options for different transportation choices.
Unique Community Characteristics will be developed through all of the above listed features including historical, cultural and natural assets contributing to its overall economic health.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
This project directly impacts the Rock Island Corridor, one of the 6 CSP corridors selected. The final report states; “The sixth corridor, Rock Island, is a key trail and transit corridor along the unused Rock Island right-of-way, and is currently undergoing study for commuter service. The Rock Island Railroad right-of-way presents an exciting opportunity for the adjacent communities and larger region to acquire and develop a southeast connecting corridor that will provide commuter rail service, trail connections and development opportunities.” The LBT connection will create an opportunity for additional users to utilize these new transit options. The 350 highway/Noland Road Activity Center identified in the CSP lies 1/3 mile to the north and will be connected by the trail to Kansas City’s Little Blue Valley Park, (the former Kansas City Speedway located one half mile to the north), and to the Raytown Soccer Complex outdoor fields and park facilities lying 1/3 mile to the east.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
Less-Intense and Less-Walkable Centers
The 350 highway/Noland Road Activity Center identified in the CSP lies 1/3 mile to the north and will be connected by the trail to Kansas City’s Little Blue Valley Park, (the former Kansas City Speedway located one half mile to the north), and to the Raytown Soccer Complex outdoor fields and park facilities lying 1/3 mile to the east.
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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Yes
The project lies entirely within an environmental justice tract. The Rock Island corridor presents an exciting opportunity for the adjacent communities and the larger region to develop a southeast connecting corridor that will provide transportation alternatives, trail connections and activity center development opportunities within the environmental justice tract.” The LBT connection to the Rock Island Corridor will create an opportunity for additional users outside the environmental justice tract to utilize these new transit options.
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the expansion of trails and linkage to activity centers and multi-modal transit options. More people will be given direct access to recreational, exercise and transportation choices which will not involve or require the need for carbon based fuels. This project implements goals outlined in the Smart Moves initiative, Creating Sustainable Places plan and the goal of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) by providing the facility to conveniently travel on foot, bicycle or by public transportation thus reducing reliance on the car. All of these goals promote the reduction of greenhouse gas through reduction of use of carbon based fuels.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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The project site is located within a lowland deciduous forest. This land cover type represents only 2% of the land in Jackson County. The site has a plant variety comprised of trees of varying sizes, shrubs, native wildflowers, grasses, and sedges. During construction a stormwater pollution prevention plan will be implemented and followed. Restoration post construction will consist of replanting of trees and grasses and removal of invasive species. Construction of the trail will provide better access to the site giving more opportunity for promoting the conservation of important ecological systems that both represent our environmental heritage and provide valuable resource benefits to our communities. Better access to the site will allow more community service opportunities to remove invasive species and to perform stream cleanup activities in the future. It will also reduce illegal poaching of river bottom black walnut trees which has been a problem.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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The project lies within the Little Blue River watershed. It follows along the river and connects to the Rock Island corridor. The project implements and connects two priority segments of the MetroGreen plan of greenways and trails. It is also furthers environmental objectives of the Transportation Outlook 2040 plan including protecting air and water quality, conserving energy and natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This represents a small step towards increasing the overall health and vitality of the watershed as a whole.
On a larger scale, greenways/trails surveys have indicated that preserving water quality is the most important issue in the metropolitan area as well as establishment of buffers along rivers and streams. Respondents are also supportive of developing multipurpose greenways that could be used as recreational walking/biking trails, serve as transportation linkages between neighborhoods, and provide wildlife habitat.
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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This project also furthers the goals outlined in the Little Blue Valley Area Plan developed and adopted by the City of Kansas City in 2012. Specific Area Plan goals furthered by this project include the development of multi-modal trails, greater access to existing transit options, and protection of the areas natural resources and "rural character".
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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
This project promotes and complies with all 10 Complete Streets goals in the following ways:
• helps decrease the use of fossil fuels through reductions in miles traveled
• creates more vibrant, attractive places with increased access
• improves air quality
• improves water quality by integrating stormwater bmp’s, urban forestry and landscaping into the design
• supports more transportation choices
• creates compelling quality places in our communities
• facilitates healthy, active living by encouraging more people to walk, bicycle, or use transit
• will help reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes
• includes the maintenance and operation of facilities in good condition
• improves a continuous travel network for all transportation modes which in turn maximizes the value of existing investments
• help maximize mobility opportunities to jobs, education, health care, shopping, entertainment, and other goods and services
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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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Not Accommodated
The trail is for non-motorized use only
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Trucks:
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Not Accommodated
The trail is for non-motorized use only
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Motorcycles:
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Not Accommodated
The trail is for non-motorized use only
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Buses:
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Not Accommodated
The trail is for non-motorized use only
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Green Streets:
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We welcome your feedback on this. Comments from the public will be shared with project
sponsors and the evaluating committee. If you wish to be contacted directly about
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