Bridge over Brush Creek wraps up Tiger grant improvements

Photo courtesy Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

Officials celebrated the opening of a pedestrian bridge over Brush Creek yesterday, while calling attention to the accomplishments of the region’s first TIGER grant. They said the $50 million grant funded 120 projects across the region, including improved transit facilities, sidewalks and curb replacement, street resurfacing and traffic signal improvements.

“This pedestrian bridge is a key investment in the vision I have had for this neighborhood for quite some time. It is an honor to be here for this dedication and celebration of our investments in sustainable infrastructure,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver in a press release after the ceremony.

Mayor Sly James, Congressman Cleaver, Regional Administrator for the Federal Transit Administration Mokhtee Ahmad and Area Transportation Authority General Manager Mark Huffer were on hand for the celebration.

Here’s the background from the ATA:

In 2010, KCATA, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Johnson County Transit were awarded a competitive $50 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant from the FTA to make infrastructure and transit improvements in Greater Kansas City. The grant, which came to a close in early 2014, funded 120 projects across the region, including improved transit facilities, sidewalks and curb replacement, street resurfacing and traffic signal improvements.

Traditionally, TIGER grants have supported only “gray” infrastructure, but over half of the $50M was spent within the Green Impact Zone (GIZ) and one of the largest expenditures was new sidewalks and walkways leading to ADA compliant transit stops where passengers wait for hybrid electric rapid commuter buses and make local and regional transit connections. Regional transit connections also funded by TIGER include the new Shawnee Mission Metcalf Connex line that connects in the GIZ and the State Avenue Connex line that connects downtown KCMO with downtown KCK and then Village West. The final project is the pedestrian bridge over Brush Creek, another “green” investment.

The $50 million TIGER grant is credited with the creation of 2,455 permanent jobs and transportation benefits totaling $710 million, according to Regional Economic Models, Inc. used by MARC to calculate economic impact.

“This project is another example of Kansas City building a sustainable community for the long-term,” said Mayor Sly James. “Future generations want low-cost, high-quality, multi-modal transit options and they want to live in places where they can walk, bike, or take rail. I’m honored to join with all of these partners to celebrate this project and the fact that Kansas City is a smart community using smart strategies to build a better future.”