SEMPO Updates

News and Information for August 2020

A Message from the Executive Director

Unfortunately, August did not yield congressional miracles in relation to our expiring surface transportation funding. This comes as no surprise, but it does mean uncertainty in future project spending as we will most likely see the legislative debates carry past the FAST Act expiration date of September 30, 2020. I believe it is likely we will see Congress pass Continuing Resolutions (CRs) as legislation is crafted. This will present planning challenges for transportation agencies as the CRs are typically 30 to 60 days in length, which certainly narrows the scope of projects and financial commitments that can be made. 

Organizations such as the American Highway Users Alliance (AHUA) have lobbied federal lawmakers to issue a one-year extension of the FAST Act to ensure projects and safety improvements continue through the construction season. “Due to the limited days remaining in the legislative calendar, the Highway Users urges Congress to pass a one-year extension of current surface transportation law with increased highway investment funding to ensure important road and bridge projects can continue into the new fiscal year and prevent further disruption to America’s economic recovery,” AHUA President & CEO Laura Perrotta wrote. Such action would provide a little more certainty in our revenues and allow for state DOTs and other transportation agencies to move forward with larger scale projects. 

All still remains unknown, and the confluence of COVID-19 and a presidential election year both influencing congressional decision making does not make the path any clearer. So let’s all do what we can to support bipartisan efforts in the establishment of new federal transportation legislation.

 - Alex McElroy

ADA Pedestrian Transportation System Condition Assessment

On August 1, 2020, the Lochmueller Group began analyzing the ~13,500 individual data points collected in the months of June and July. To accomplish the data collection, the SEMPO area was divided into 13 separate data collection zones where our interns walked the public right-of-ways compiling the information. The data analysis portion of the project is anticipated to be complete September 15, 2020, with the plan documentation process commencing September 1, 2020, and wrapping up on October 15, 2020. The Lochmueller Group hopes to present the draft community plans to the SEMPO Board on their October 21, 2020, meeting.

2020 Missouri Active Transportation Summit

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Consumption Expenditures by Type of Product, based on available 2010 data.

Did you know the Outdoor Industry Association found that Outdoor Recreation Consumer Spending results in $646 billion annually? To put that into perspective, that is more annual consumer spending than the Pharmaceutical and Household Utility Industries combined. On August 14, SEMPO staff attended the 2020 Missouri Active Transportation Summit where information such as this was shared. The daylong event hosted presenters from the Association of Bicycle & Pedestrian Professionals, Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, Missouri Livable Streets, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. There was much information shared during the Summit event, but one of the biggest takeaways was the significant economic impact outdoor recreation has on our economy and the best way to capitalize on this major market is to continue to invest in our community’s active transportation infrastructure.

Center Junction DDI Update

The Center Junction Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will soon reach a milestone. In the coming weeks, the east-side of I-55 will be in its final condition. To accomplish this, several traffic shifts will be necessary as the Missouri Department of Transportation’s contractor works to connect the new pavement to the existing. The three-phase approach will occur in succession over the course of approximately six weeks, with phase 1 beginning overnight on Tuesday, Sept. 1, weather permitting.

Changes in Passenger Traffic Due to COVID-19

Passenger traffic continues to show a decline as compared to 2019. Last month, from July 1 to July 25, a decline of -12% was reported. The month prior, from June 1 to June 30, we experienced the same decline of -12% statewide. This month's reporting, from July 26 to August 15,  brings slight better news with a decline in statewide passenger traffic lessening to -10% as compared to 2019.

As shared last month, these numbers still appear to be gradually improving as we continue to cautiously open our economy. For context, from March 15 to July 25, passenger traffic experienced, on average, a decrease of -24% statewide as compared to 2019. This has now improved to -22% from March 15 to August 15. 

Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update

I am excited to announce that we will begin our candidate interviews for our MTP Update project at our SEMPO TPC meeting on Wednesday, September 2nd at the Osage Centre. Our goal is to have a recommendation for a preferred consultant partner to the SEMPO Board for their meeting on September 16th. Please note, our TPC meeting will begin at 10:00 am instead of our normal 11:00 am to accommodate for the two candidate interviews.

Why Don't Ants Get Stuck In Traffic?

Not a preface to a joke, so stay with me here. This can actually be insightful, a bit forward thinking, and slightly therapeutic if you have a tendency to get frustrated with traffic. My family would verify that I try to avoid it at all costs. So if you have 6 minutes, I found it worth the time. Special bonus, the sponsorship ad is at the end.

Transportation Quote

"If we’re going to talk about transport, I would say that the great city is not the one that has highways, but one where a child on a tricycle or bicycle can go safely everywhere."

  - Enrique Penalosa