News and Information from June 2022
A Message from the Executive Director
"How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?” A quote from Dr. Seuss and a reminder how quickly things come and go. It is the end of June, which marks the end of SEMPO's 2022 Fiscal Year. Of the many work elements we undertook this year we also saw the Center Junction Diverging Diamond Interchange open in October 2021, halfway into the Fiscal Year, as well as another major project begin to take form as the Board received a presentation of draft conceptual renderings for a redesign of I-55 Exit 93 interchange in April. MoDOT plans to present further findings for the Exit 93 interchange project at the Board meeting on July 20.
In July, the Board will commence the 2023 Fiscal Year with projects such as a 2023 - 2027 Transportation Improvement Program Update, finalizing the Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan, updating the Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan (PT-HSTCP), and submitting an application to the US Department of Transportation seeking funds to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan for the SEMPO Metropolitan Planning Area through the Safe Streets and Roads for All competitive grant program. If awarded, the SEMPO Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) will be amended to account for the additional planning project and funding levels.
Don't forget the creative community in the rebuild of US infrastructure
A call to see the best use of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is being made to challenge mayors, city planners, traditional community developers, and engineers to rethink their approach to infrastructure planning and design. "Let’s incorporate community voices — and local artists — in infrastructure projects from the very beginning to find transformational solutions to community needs." The Smart Cities Dive article below provides 4 suggestions for engaging the creative community in infrastructure development.
Los Angeles contemplating banning new gas stations
The Los Angeles City Council is considering a ban on the construction of new gas stations as part of the city's commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. "Our great and influential city, which grew up around the automobile, is the perfect place to figure out how to move off the gas-powered car," council member Paul Koretz said.
If successful, Los Angeles would be the largest City to pass such a measure. In 2021, Petaluma in California became the first city in the world to prohibit new gas stations. Since then, at least four more cities have prohibited new gas stations permanently and at least six more (including Los Angeles, the city of cars) are developing policies now.
Missouri Regional Bridge Program
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is requesting project applications for consideration in the new Regional Bridge Program for off-system structures. The Regional Bridge Program replaces the previous BRO program and will be funded using BRO funds and new funds available thru the Bridge Formula Program (BFP). With this program call, approximately $110 million of federal bridge funds will be available for projects for 2022 thru 2024. Applications are due to the respective District Office by Friday, July 22, 2022.
MoDOT Holds Open House on US 61 Improvements
MoDOT hosted a public open house on June 28 at the Jackson Civic Center where they displayed planned improvements to Route 61 in Jackson. Improvements include replacement of the Hubble Creek bridge, adding turn lanes at Mary Street, and pavement improvements from north of the existing roundabout to Route D.
Draft EV Readiness Plan
A draft of the EV Readiness Plan has been provided to SEMPO Board of Directors and the Technical Planning Committee for review and additional comments. The Steering Committee's initial comments for the plan have already been incorporated in this this current draft. The project team is on track to have a public draft ready in July with final adoption anticipated in September.
Roadway Fatalities Update
The Southeast District has experienced 64 fatalities on the roadways in 2022 as of June 19. This number is higher than the 59 fatalities which occurred in 2021 at this time. Statewide, we have experienced 404 fatalities, which is less than what we experienced in 2021 where 439 fatalities were recorded, yet higher than what was experienced in 2017 (397), 2018 (393), 2019 (354) , and 2020 (399) at this point in the year. Of these statewide fatalities, 59% of the occupants were not buckled.
SEMPO Trivia
Which country boasts the largest road network in the world?
a. Brazil
b. India
c. China
d. United States
e. France
f. Germany
Be the first one to respond to my email (amcelroy@cityofcape.org) with the correct answer and I'll bring the drink of your choice to our next meeting.
"Diamond" Bridge Opens In Georgia
There's now a diamond in the sky in the country of Georgia — in the form of a glass bar suspended from a bridge dangling about 900 feet above the Dashbashi Canyon (also known as Tsalka Canyon). It's located about a two-hour drive west of the capital city of Tbilisi.
Here is a Twitter video of someone riding a bicycle tethered to a zip line over the Dashbashi Canyon alongside the diamond bridge... I would not.
Transportation Quote
“You and I travel by road and rail. Economists travel by infrastructure.”
- Margaret Thatcher
