Congressman Cleaver announces $1.8 million to study regional commuter rail transit corridors
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) a $1.8 million grant to study options for a combined commuter transit network in Jackson County and urban streetcar in downtown Kansas City.
“It was my pleasure to help secure these funds to further commuter rail in Jackson County. These federal dollars will help refine and advance plans that will someday help our residents move across the region in a more efficient, equitable and environmentally friendly way. I believe this is an excellent indication that the U.S. Department of Transportation and my friend Secretary Ray LaHood are interested in investing in Kansas City’s commuter rail transportation proposal,” said Congressman Cleaver.
The study — called an “alternatives analysis” — 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:
- an I-70 commuter alignment heading east from Union Station, running in a shared corridor, to approximately the I-70/I-435 interchange, where it then runs east along I-70 through the cities of Independence, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove and Odessa.
- a Rock Island alignment southeast of downtown, generally along Missouri Route 350, and specifically along the former Rock Island railroad right of way (not currently in service) through the communities of Raytown, Lee’s Summit, Greenwood and Pleasant Hill.
- a downtown Kansas City, Mo., 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.
The goal is to advance implementation of Greater Kansas City’s Smart Moves vision for regional transit service by laying the foundation for an integrated, high-capacity urban and commuter transit system that connects communities to employment, entertainment and housing opportunities throughout the region. The study will evaluate various transit modes for the corridors, such as express bus, bus rapid transit, streetcar, light rail and commuter rail, and will identify a preferred service alternative within each corridor.
“We’ve begun making improvements to infrastructure in key urban corridors to support a bus rapid transit network,” said Raytown, Mo., Mayor David Bower, a co-chair of MARC’s Transit Committee. “This grant will continue the region’s momentum by helping to outline our plan for expanded commuter services.”
The alternatives analysis aligns with federal sustainability and livability priorities and will build on past planning work conducted by MARC, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), Kansas City, Mo., and Jackson County. Conducting this type of study is a required step in pursuing federal funds for future capital investments in public transit.
“There’s a great deal of enthusiasm for advancing transit services that improve quality of life, better connect people to the places they need to go, and position our region to remain successful in the coming decades,” said Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders.
The Federal Transit Administration had approximately $25.7 million available in transit-planning funds from fiscal year 2009 and 2010 to award through its Alternatives Analysis Program. In July, MARC submitted a competitive application for $2 million on behalf of a partnership with Jackson County, Mo., Kansas City, Mo., and KCATA.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, House Homeland Security Committee and the Speaker’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Regional Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Chairman-elect of the Congressional Black Caucus.