(The Center Square) – Springfield will receive a $24.8 million federal taxpayer grant to improve approximately three miles of trails connecting the city’s neighborhoods.
The U.S. Department of Transportation notified Missouri’s third-largest city its grant proposal would receive a 2024 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant for its “Ungap the Map” project, a multi-year initiative to close gaps in its planned trail system across the region. The plan will almost triple the existing 77 miles of trails in the city to a total of 200 miles of trails in the region.
The grant will pay for four pedestrian bridges, remove abandoned culverts, install traffic calming and green infrastructure, eliminate at-grade crossings, build dedicated bicycle paths and ADA-accessible sidewalks.
“City staff analyzed and prioritized critical gaps in the greenway system based on past community engagement and to target resources in historically impoverished neighborhoods,” Springfield Mayor Ken McClure said in a statement. “The project is intended to connect these severed trails and provide a fully connected trail system from westside neighborhoods to natural green space, regional parks, economic opportunities, downtown Springfield and beyond.”
Springfield’s grant was part of $1.8 billion in awards announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Thursday and will fund 148 projects throughout the nation, split evenly between urban and rural areas. A large percentage of the money will go to areas with persistent poverty or are historically disadvantaged.
The funds were awarded on a competitive basis for planning and constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects. Projects must improve safety and environmental sustainability.
The 3.14-mile connections will connect an area isolated by vehicle-dominated transportation investments in Springfield, according to information provided by the city. The connections will provide access to transit, reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and expand transportation choices. It will provide access to the only mass transit station in the city.
“This project will provide transportation choices for the city’s most vulnerable populations to connect residents to employment centers, training and education, and enhancing opportunities for social interaction, strengthening the social fabric of our neighborhoods, which are important predictors of well-being,” Amanda Ohlensehlen, director economic vitality for the city, said in a statement.
