TRANSPORTATION STUDY

OVERVIEW:

​

As Kansas City, Missouri looks for opportunities to grow, both in terms of revenue and quality job creation, the Blue River Ecodustrial Corridor is a rare opportunity to create an industrial zone that is within the central city, as opposed to creating one that is on the suburban edges. Because this area has existing access to multiple modes of transportation infrastructure, both people and products can move efficiently. 

 

Almost.

 

The critical missing piece is that the area’s main roadway, Manchester Trafficway, lacks connectivity to other key routes in and out of the area. To unlock the true economic potential of the area, a review of potential connectivity is needed.   

​

THE NEED:

​

• This project is needed to create new and enhance existing multimodal connections throughout the Blue River Ecodustrial Corridor, specifically analyzing an extension of Manchester Trafficway north from its current terminus toward the Missouri River.

• Manchester Trafficway’s north/south connectivity is currently inadequate to provide access to the entire corridor of businesses and future (re)development sites.

• The type/size of vehicular traffic necessary to serve current and future high-density industrial sites in the corridor requires more sufficient room to transverse and navigate.

• Conditions for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians could be improved because of poor road conditions, narrow roadways, multiple at-grade rail crossings, and lack of sidewalks.

• The existing trail and park system is disjointed, causing a gap in the Blue River Trail from Corrington Park to the Historic Northeast and Missouri River Trail system.

• Transit service, amenities, and development opportunities need to be analyzed to determine how to better serve the area. East-west transit routes are provided near and across the corridor, but service is limited within the district and there is currently no north-south transit service.

​

​

​