Council wants residents’ ideas for transportation

Before the Columbia City Council applies for state funds to fix transportation issues, it is asking residents to identify problem areas within the city.

The council will have a public hearing at its 7 p.m. Monday meeting to discuss its application for grants through the state’s Surface Transportation Enhancement Program. Although city staff has tentatively identified a few projects for which it might seek grants, it is inviting the public to offer its suggestions.

The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to provide $3.03 million to District 5, which includes Boone and surrounding counties. A maximum grant of $500,000 is available.

In 2005, the city was awarded $342,000 grant for the Hinkson Creek Trail Project.

Voters in November passed special sales taxes for parks, trails and roads, and the city was awarded a $22 million federal grant for alternative transportation projects.

“We have been fortunate, but I would hope we would still be able to compete,” Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hood said.

Planning and Development Director Tim Teddy said city officials inquired with the federal highway administration about Columbia’s continued eligibility for state grants after it received the federal money, and there is nothing in the legislation that says Columbia can’t get money from both sources.

To be eligible for enhancement grants, projects must fit into at least one of 12 categories and be available for at least 25 years after completion. Categories fall under three groups: bicycle and pedestrian; scenic and natural resources; and historic and archaeological. A government agency must be willing to provide a 20 percent funding match.

Teddy said that in the past, the program has sponsored mostly sidewalk and trail projects.

Some of the potential projects discussed by city officials at a January work session were requests to provide a connecting trail between Rock Bridge High School and commercial areas to the north, to add a walkway near multifamily housing areas along Old 63 and to construct a sidewalk on Broadway west of Stadium Boulevard. They have also discussed developing County House Branch Creek Trail.

Both Hood and Teddy said they want residents’ input.

“We always want to listen to the public,” Hood said. “We want them to share thoughts about important projects.”

The council must submit its application to the state by May 18 and will hear back in September.