I-70 and I-35 alternatives analyses conclude
August 2007
Mid-America Regional Council
Transportation Matters e-newsletter
The I-70 and I-35 alternatives analyses that are wrapping up will help local decision makers weigh the costs and benefits of several strategies to improve corridor mobility, and select and implement the best alternatives for the corridors.
In July the MARC Board of Directors accepted the I-70 Alternatives Analysis report. The study began in 2004 to look at ways to improve mobility for residents, workers and the transit-dependent along the eastern I-70 corridor. The corridor extends from downtown Kansas City east to Odessa, Mo. MARC worked with a team of consultants led by HNTB to review a number of transit options for I-70, including bus service, enhanced express bus service and rail service for commuters.
The study concluded that commuter rail should be viewed as a long-term option for the I-70 corridor, based on the high cost for low forecasted ridership and the near-term need to terminate at the River Market rather than farther south at Union Station. The study recommends enhanced express bus service in the short term, based on more expected riders and much lower capital and operating costs.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is also conducting a First-Tier Environmental Impact Study of the I-70 corridor to further define short- and long-range transportation solutions. This study, and the light rail alternatives analysis underway in Kansas City, Mo., could impact future decisions for transit investments in the I-70 coridor.
Johnson County Transit is completing a similar study of transit options for the southern I-35 corridor from 159th Street to Union Station. Enhanced express bus service (Bus Rapid Transit) is also recommended for this corridor. The study conclusions will be presented to MARC's Total Transportation Policy Committee soon, along with a request to adopt a locally preferred alternative in the corridor.
Both corridor studies coordinated with each other and used the same traffic model to project ridership.
For more information, contact MARC Assistant Transportation Director Tom Gerend at 816-474-4240.