AUGUST 2010

MARC provides assistance in I-470 collapse response

MARC's Operation Green Light and RideShare programs are working with the Missouri Department of Transportation to monitor detours on major arterial roadways and keep commuters informed about how the I-470 road closure could impact their travel to work. A stretch of pavement collapsed July 17 on westbound I-470 to westbound I-435, at the 3-Trails Crossing interchange. More

MARC accepting projects through Aug. 20 that improve air quality, roads, bridges

MARC is conducting calls for transportation projects through Aug. 20 that will help improve air quality and reduce congestion, as well as enhance roads and rehabilitate bridges in the region over the next few years. Applicants are encouraged to submit projects that address public transit and other transportation alternatives in addition to traditional road construction projects.
Congestion Mitigation Air Quality FY 2011–2012 Call for Projects
Surface Transportation & Bridge Programs FY 2013–2014 Call for Projects

Kansas City metro hosts multistate sustainable housing conference on Aug. 12

Get the tools and knowledge to develop more sustainable homes and neighborhoods in your community by attending the 2010 Sustainable Housing Conference on Aug. 12, from 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo. Tracks include energy efficiency, healthy homes, homebuilders and developers, and sustainable neighborhoods. More

Smart Moves first-phase study completed for urban transit corridors

For the past year, MARC has worked with local communities and the region's transit providers to conduct a multiphase study that will develop an implementation plan for enhanced and expanded transit service on major urban and commuter corridors in the region. A Phase I Urban Corridors final report was recently completed. More

Destination Safe recommends projects to receive FY 2011 safety funding

The Destination Safe Coalition has approved fiscal year 2011 funding for transportation safety projects that aim to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the region's roadways, based on high-priority issues identified in the Kansas City Regional Safety Blueprint. This includes $40,379 for Missouri projects, and a recommendation to fund several Kansas projects. Recommendations

Second quarter 2010 shows steady decline in roadway fatalities

The MARC staff tracks roadway fatalities in the Kansas City region and gathers historical safety data for planning purposes. Preliminary data from April through June show that fatalities so far in 2010 have plummeted 34.4 percent, compared with the five-year average. Statewide roadway deaths continue to decrease in Kansas and Missouri for the fourth year in a row. More

Green Commute Challenge shows big savings at halfway mark

The Green Commute Challenge, which runs through Aug. 30, encourages employees of area organizations to commute to work using forms of transportation other than driving alone in a car. So far, participants have saved 251,499 miles of driving, prevented 232,619 pounds of unhealthy emissions, and reduced total driving costs by $136,061. More

Regional trail-locator system will improve public safety

It's often hard for cell phone callers who are hiking or biking on off-road or remote trails to provide an exact location to 9-1-1 personnel in case of an emergency. MARC's Public Safety program has been working with local communities to create a comprehensive trail-locator system that helps 9-1-1 and rescue personnel more quickly identify a caller's location. More

Transportation Improvement Program special amendment released for public comment; TIP third quarter amendment approved; Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program goal proposed to increase

In July, MARC proposed a special amendment to the 2010–2014 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for public review and comment. Public comments will be accepted through Aug. 9. The MARC Board of Directors has approved the third quarter TIP amendment, as well as an increase to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program participation goal, pending no additional significant public comments received through Aug. 10. More

MARC welcomes new program assistant

Ebony Jackson joined MARC's Transportation Services department in late July as the new program assistant, replacing Mary Laird. She will provide support to committees and staff, and maintain the annual transportation work program. Jackson previously worked as an administrative assistant with Developmental Disability Services of Jackson County – EITAS and with Sprint. A Kansas City-area native, Jackson has lived all over the region. Ebony Jackson can be reached at ejackson@marc.org or 816/701-8283.