News and Information from October 2021

A Message from the Executive Director

In October, our SEMPO Board of Directors approved a motion to recommend moving forward with Olsson Engineering  for the development of an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan. Olsson was selected from a pool of three highly qualified firms which responded to SEMPO's Request for Proposal. Olsson was previously selected by the City of Overland Park, KS to provide engineering services for the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations throughout the city. The project scope included planning, design, and construction management. The first two locations for station installations were the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead and the Overland Park Soccer Complex. The city plans to continue with future sustainable locations to allow widespread accessibility to the community. The SEMPO Board of Directors also approved a motion to recommend entering into General Service Agreements with six regional engineering firms for transportation related services. The agreements provide SEMPO the option of issuing Task Orders for the provision of professional and  technical services  and carry a 5-year tenure. 

Infrastructure Legislation

Remember when I said "perhaps there will be more to share in October". Well, also perhaps not. The bi-partisan infrastructure deal (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) remains in the House as progressives await the details of the Build Back Better initiative yet to be formally announced. On October 28, President Biden did provide a framework of the legislation which appears to have been reduced to $1.75 trillion from the previously ascribed $3.5 trillion investment. 

Center Junction Diverging Diamond Interchange Opens

Center Junction's Diverging Diamond Interchange is now open. The project began construction in February 2020 with an anticipated completion date of November 2021. The $17.4 million project included the construction of the diverging diamond interchange of Route 61 (Kingshighway and Jackson Boulevard) and the replacement of the north and south bound bridges of I-55. 

Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan

On the November 1st, the Cape Girardeau City Council will act on a recommendation from the SEMPO Board of Directors to engage in an agreement with Olsson Engineering in the development of an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan. The 2021 - 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan identified the development of such a plan as a key strategy in working toward the goal of conducting transportation-related activities in a manner that supports responsible management of the environment and ensures the fair treatment of all people.

A brief outline of the project approach is as follows:

• Stakeholder Outreach
• Assessment
  • Local Government
  • Regional
  • Power Grid
  • External Conditions – manufacturing, national power grid, environmental regulations
  • Industry Status
  • Best Practices
  • Equity Analysis 
• Identification of Needed Infrastructure
• Identification of Needed Services
• Needed Policies and Programs
• Strategies & Recommendations
• Funding Guidance
• Implementation Plan

Roadway Fatalities Update

The Southeast District has experienced 103 fatalities on the roadways in 2021 as of October 17. This number is up from 85 fatalities reported from September 12. Of these 103 fatalities, 50 occupants were not buckled and 90 were in rural locations. Statewide fatalities for 2021 have now surpassed the inordinately high numbers we experienced in 2020 with 810 lives lost to date.

General Motors Wats to Help Build 40,000 EV Charging Stations

General Motors recently announced plans to work with its network of dealers to help initiate the installation of 40,000 electric vehicle chargers across the country.  The automaker will give each of its dealers “up to 10 Ultium Level 2 destination charging stations” (Ultium being the new proprietary battery developed by GM) to install throughout their communities. The automaker did not state that they would pay for all 40,000 chargers. Rather, it will work with its dealers and community leaders to find the appropriate financing. The dealer-community project is said to kickoff in 2022 as part of GM's $750 million commitment to EV charging infrastructure. Click the button below to read the article. 

SEMPO Trivia

The song "Eastbound and Down", sung by Jerry Reed, sings about thirsty folks in Atlanta and beverages being drank in Texarkana. In which movie was this song featured?

a. Bullitt - 1968
b. taxi Driver - 1976
c. Sharknado 5 Global Swarming - 2017 
d. Smoke and the Bandit - 1977
e. Cannonball Run - 1981
f. Two Lane Blacktop - 1971

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.

Hidden Traffic Metrics

This may have more applicability for larger cities in the US but an insightful analysis of why we need to look at more than just Level of Service (LOS) when analyzing development impacts on traffic. 

Transportation Quote

“The quickest way to make a red light turn green is to try to find something in the glove compartment”

– Billy Connolly