SIDEWALKS, PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS INCLUDED
There is at least a year of design and engineering work ahead before final construction plans are in place for a Hwy. 9 redesign through Downtown Parkville, according to the city’s mayor.
In his January message in the city’s newest newsletter, Parkville Mayor Dean Katerndahl talks about how the city is moving forward with “the largest and most complex project we’ve undertaken in decades–the Redefine Route 9 project.
“It’s important that residents and downtown stakeholders understand what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and why. The upcoming quarterly Parkville newsletter includes a detailed article explaining why the board of aldermen selected Option B–a new roadway through downtown between the railroad tracks and the fire station–as the preferred option, as well as what that process will look like moving forward,” Katerndahl wrote in the city’s newsletter.
The mayor went on to say that “change can be challenging, and a project of this scale is no exception. Through early conversations, downtown merchants have identified several key priorities. These priorities closely align with the city’s own focus for the project and will continue to guide the design and engineering work ahead.”
Those priorities are:
*Pedestrian safety, especially at the new roadway, nearby railroad crossings, and the crossing at FF.
*Traffic flow through downtown.
*Parking, particularly north of the railroad tracks.
*Sidewalk width, balanced with traffic flow and safety.
*Business continuity during construction.
“Because this is such a complex project, we will have at least a year of design and engineering work ahead before final construction plans are in place. Much of that time will be spent working through these priorities and other issues in close coordination with engineers, the railroad, MoDOT, and the downtown business community,” the mayor says.
“Additional questions will undoubtedly arise, and I am confident they will be thoughtfully addressed. Some answers will emerge over the coming months as designs are refined and as we continue meeting with downtown merchants, while others have already been considered,” he added.
The mayor explained that there will be improvements to accessibility and safety with the project.
“Downtown sidewalks and pedestrian crossings will be rebuilt to improve access for everyone, a commitment that grew out of the city’s downtown ADA transition plan completed in the last year,” Katerndahl said.
“In addition, the city has received a separate grant to install wayside horns at both downtown railroad crossings, further improving safety,” he said. “These improvements are being coordinated as part of the overall Redefine Route 9 project so everything works together seamlessly.”
