Bike Boulevard Project scheduled to begin week of June 4

Two grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), awarded in 2006 and 2012, have helped make Columbia one of the country's best cities for walking, biking and using nonmotorized transportation.


The second of three FHWA-funded projects to be completed this year is scheduled to begin next week. Aplex Inc., the contractor for the project, plans to begin work on the Bike Boulevard Project (MKT Trail to Parkade) the week of June 4, weather permitting. The work will begin on Providence Road in the evenings after 7 p.m.


The evening work on Providence Road includes installing a new crosswalk, center median island and pedestrian signals near Hickman High School. Daytime "Bike Boulevard" striping work will take place on sections of Lathrop Road, Forest Avenue, Madison Street, Banks Avenue, Alexander Avenue, Aldeah Avenue, Edgewood Avenue and Maupin Road during the summer-long project. The project also includes improvements at the intersection of Business Loop 70 and Madison and the intersection of Worley and Alexander. There will be a pedway constructed on the north side of Worley between Banks and Alexander. The project also includes installing a new crosswalk, center median island and flashing pedestrian beacon at the intersection of Broadway and Aldeah. The project is scheduled to be completed by early fall.


Overall, the project creates a new north-south Bike Boulevard connecting Business Loop 70 at Parkade Boulevard to the MKT Trail on Lathrop Road. The project also provides a connection to the Bike Boulevard from West Boulevard, Hickman High School and Providence Road. The FHWA investment for this project is estimated at $601,200.


"Most of the work on Providence will be performed in the evenings with work on other streets during the day," Construction Project Superintendent David Fennewald said. "While minor delays are always possible, unless otherwise posted or directed by flaggers, traffic should be able to pass through the clearly marked work zones. Of course, we ask motorisists to drive slowly and be vigilant for the safety of our workers."


Two interested parties meetings for the project were held with Columbia residents on Feb. 28, 2013 and Aug. 6, 2013 with approval by the City Council on June 2, 2014.


After more than 35 Getabout Columbia projects completed since 2006, just three remain in the FHWA funding cycle. Those projects are Bike Boulevard (MKT Trail to Parkade), Shepard to Rollins Trail and the Clark Lane Sidewalk Project. Work on the Clark Lane Sidewalk Project began the week of May 21. The start date of the third project has not been finalized yet.


For more information about the Bike Boulevard (MKT Trail to Parkade) Project, visit CoMo.gov/PublicWorks/MKT-Parkade-BikeBlvd.  


Additional Resources:

Columbia Public Works: CoMo.gov/PublicWorks
GetAbout Columbia: CoMo.gov/PublicWorks/GetAbout Public Involvement Process: CoMo.gov/PublicWorks/public