july 6, 2012

Transit study kicks off for U.S. 71/ Grandview corridor

learn more at open houses july 12 & 17

U.S. 71 Highway/Bruce R. Watkins Drive is the next highly traveled corridor in the Kansas City region to undergo a study of transit options that could better serve commuters and spur economic development. The corridor runs between downtown Kansas City and Grandview in Jackson County.

Attend a U.S. 71 Transit Study open house this month to learn more about the project and share feedback about transportation needs in this area. The study will be integrated with other commuter corridor alternatives analyses in Jackson County (Interstate 70 and Rock Island) and downtown Kansas City, Mo.

OPEN HOUSE: July 12, 2012 • 4–6 p.m.
The View (Grandview Community Center), 13500 Byars Rd.
Grandview, MO 64030
Facebook event

OPEN HOUSE: July 17, 2012 • 4–6 p.m.
Southeast Community Center, Community Room, 4201 E. 63rd St. Trfwy, Kansas City, MO 64130 Metro bus route: 163
Facebook event

Study website | News release | Open house flier

Study partners include Jackson County, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; and the Mid-America Regional Council

TIGER transit corridor projects break ground in KCK and Mission

The State Avenue and Metcalf Avenue / Shawnee Mission Parkway transit corridor projects are officially breaking ground this month thanks to the Kansas City region's $50 million TIGER grant (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery).

In downtown Kansas City, Kan., the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority begins work on the 7th & Minnesota MetroCenter for the State Avenue corridor. Transit and pedestrian improvements are underway between downtown and Village West.

Groundbreaking event on July 13 at 11 a.m. Event details

In downtown Mission, Johnson County Transit and Overland Park, Kan., will start work on the Mission transit center (which will eventually replace the current facility at 6000 Lamar). Transit and pedestrian improvements are also getting underway from downtown Mission to Rosana Square at 119th Street and Metcalf Avenue.

Groundbreaking event on July 18 at 8:30 a.m. Event details

in brief

Take the bus to All-Star Game and events

The Metro will offer fast and easy service to the All-Star Game and other All-Star Summer events at Kauffman Stadium on July 8, 9 and 10.
All-Star Game details
Other Metro route changes

JoCo transit system facing severe cutbacks

Johnson County Transit is proposing major cuts in transit service due to budget constraints. The agency will hold public hearings on July 9 from 6:30–8:30 a.m. and July 11 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at the Sylvester Powell Community Center in Mission, Kan. Proposed changes and how to provide feedback

Independence rolls out new bus system

The city of Independence, Mo., is now operating its own local transit system, with significant route changes. New contract operator First Transit will also run the city's paratransit and local senior transportation services. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, with whom the city previously had a contract, will continue to provide intercity service connecting Independence to Kansas City on routes 24 and 15X. IndeBus website

calendar

July 10
Johnson County Transportation Council, 7 a.m.

July 11
Mid-America Regional Council Special Transportation-Job Access Partnership, 9 a.m.

July 25
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Board of Commissioners, 12 p.m.

August 1
Mid-America Regional Council Transit Committee, 10:30 a.m.

Mid-America Regional Council | 600 Broadway, Suite 200 | Kansas City, MO 64105
ph: 816/474-4240 | www.kcsmartmoves.org | e-mail: smartmoves@marc.org