KCATA Asking Residents, Businesses About Travel Near 71 Highway

(Kansas City, Mo. – Oct. 30, 2017) KCATA is now collecting public input for the next phase of the Connecting Swope Project. This study will identify ways to improve connections across U.S. 71 Highway to the Prospect MAX line. The study team will recommend projects and programs to address issues of access, safety, convenience, and comfort in the area.

The goals of the study are to:

• Identify barriers and gaps in connectivity for pedestrians, transit riders, and bicyclists;
• Ensure access to the Prospect MAX bus rapid transit stations; and
• Improve the safety, comfort, and ease of crossing U.S. 71 Highway.

U.S. 71 Highway runs a block east of, and parallel to, Prospect Avenue between Swope Parkway and 75th Street. For potential transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists, there are few opportunities to cross the highway; high vehicle speeds, and wide intersections all hindering accessibility. Prospect Avenue has some of the highest bus ridership in the region and will soon be converted into a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor.

Residents and businesses in the study area are encouraged to take a brief survey about travel habits. The area includes Swope Parkway to 85th Street and The Paseo to Cleveland Ave. A link to the survey is available at the Connecting Swope webpage: www.kcata.org/transit-initiatives/connecting-swope.

“We are interested in hearing how people get around the area, and what options they might want to have in the future,” said KCATA President and CEO Robbie Makinen. “There is an opportunity to improve access and safety in the area as we get ready to launch our third bus rapid transit line – Prospect MAX – in one of our highest ridership corridors.”

Background

This project is being closely coordinated with the KCATA Prospect MAX line and the KCMO Prospect Corridor Streetscape project.

Funding for the initiative is provided by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Planning Sustainable Places program. The study partners are KCATA, MARC, Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of Kansas City, Mo. This project is being closely coordinated with the KCATA Prospect MAX line and the Prospect Streetscape project.

This study will last from July 2017 through May 2018.