River crossing for bicycles inching closer to reality

Most sidewalks in Kansas City haven’t been seen since Christmas Eve. So here’s a happy thought for those feeling immobilized by winter: Work will begin this spring on a bike lane across the Missouri River.

MoDOT is going to retrofit the Heart of America Bridge, which links downtown Kansas City, Missouri, with North Kansas City. The work will include the construction of a barrier-protected path for bicycles and pedestrians on the east side of the bridge.

Obamabucks are helping to make it happen. The federal stimulus is funding $4.5 million of the project’s $7.1 million cost. Deb Ridgway, a manager in Kansas City’s Public Works Department, spoke of the project on Monday. “It’s moving forward very, very fast,” she told the city’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.