© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

ATA Wants Opinions on Light Rail

By Maria Carter

Kansas City, MO – A recent engineering report called into question the financing and engineering of a voter approved light rail plan. The Area Transportation Area is gathering suggestions from the public in an effort to create what they call a workable plan. KCUR's Maria Carter has more.

- - - - -

Tonight at the Mohart Multipurpose Center, transit officials will make a presentation about the light rail planning process and gather opinions on what citizens think of those plans. The public forum helps the ATA gather information for the alternatives analysis, a study needed to get federal funding. The recent reportraised many questions about the light rail plan in Kansas City including problems with bridges and a cost about half a billion dollars more than original estimates. Spokeswoman Cindy Baker says the ATA is using the voter-approved blueprint as a starting point.

Cindy Baker: It still is about a plan that the voters approved but it's finding a plan and perhaps a starter line out of that plan that is feasible, workable, and fundable.

Baker says the public comments will be taken into consideration as the study continues. A second forum will be held tomorrow at the North Kansas City Community Center.

Meetings

Monday, August 20th, Mohart Multi-purpose Center
3200 Wayne, Kansas City, MO
Tuesday August 21st,North Kansas City Community Center
1999 Iron, North Kansas City, MO

KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.