Claire RobertsonTwo Missouri cities have received a combined $32.2 million for projects to improve pedestrian access and road safety.
The grants were awarded through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) competitive grant program, which earlier this year awarded $1.8 billion to 148 projects across the county.
The city of Springfield received a $24.8 million RAISE grant for the Ungap the Map project. The project will construct approximately 3.1 miles of greenway trails to connect residential neighborhoods on the west side of the city.
“City staff analyzed and prioritized critical gaps in the greenway system based on past community engagement and to target resources in historically impoverished neighborhoods,” Mayor Ken McClure said. “The project is intended to connect these severed trails and provide a fully connected trail system from westside neighborhoods to natural green space, regional parks, economic opportunities, downtown Springfield, and beyond.”
When complete, the new trails will connect gaps in the city’s existing network, resulting in more than 25 miles of trail connectivity. The trails will provide access to the city’s only mass transit station and reduce reliance on personal vehicles.
Components of the project include removing at-grade rail crossings, installing four pedestrian bridges and establishing dedicated bike paths. Street improvements include implementing traffic calming measures, installing green infrastructure, constructing ADA-compliant sidewalks and removing abandoned culverts. Streetscape enhancements will be designed for stormwater management, including elements to capture and filter runoff.
Construction on the project is estimated to start in August 2026.
The city of Independence received a $7.37 million RAISE grant for the Englewood Roundabout and Winner Road Upgrades project. The project will remove traffic lights, build a roundabout and rehabilitate the road to include pedestrian safety and ADA-compliant improvements.
“This investment in infrastructure is pivotal, ensuring we not only meet current needs, but lay a robust foundation for future growth,” Mayor Rory Rowland said. “I look forward to witnessing the transformative impact of this grant as we work towards building a more connected, accessible community.”
The new roundabout will improve the flow of traffic and ease congestion. Upgraded sidewalks will improve pedestrian safety and increase multimodal access to the Englewood Arts District. The project enables public transportation to be extended in the future.
The project is currently in the planning phase, and the next step is to issue solicitations for design services. Construction is anticipated to start in 2027.
The 2024 RAISE awards bring the total amount of RAISE grants to more than $7.2 billion for more than 550 projects nationwide. Funds are awarded competitively for planning and constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects. Approved projects include elements to improve safety and environmental sustainability.
Photo by Ralph Katieb on Unsplash
