Issues
Below is an outline of the major issues related to the City’s Red Bridge project. See also the Red Bridge Road Myth and Reality Tour.
Safety
Should we be more concerned with fenders or with fatalities?
The proponents of the new road and bridge say Red Bridge Road is dangerous with its curves and railroad crossing. But will replacing that with an expressway-type thoroughfare fix the problem? Closer examination reveals that a bigger road presents bigger dangers.
Traffic
"If you build it, they will come."
How valid are traffic studies done when thousands of commuters are temporarily using Red Bridge Road as a detour to avoid the Grandview Triangle? Not much, obviously, but they have been used to justify a five-lane road. City engineers say we need a bigger road because, in the future, there will be two or three times as many vehicles using Red Bridge Road. But, why will there be so much more traffic? Well, it's mostly because they assume a bigger road will be built. So, what they are saying is that we will need five lanes because only that many can handle all the traffic that such a road will attract.
Scenic, Historic & Recreational Values
"They paved paradise, put up a parking lot"
Minor Park and the Blue River Parkway are south Kansas City's greatest parkland assets: a large swath of 'country in the city'. What will be left of that once "Bridge-zilla" has taken over? Even Blue River Road is targeted for four-laning!
Politics
"Resistance is futile"
From the very beginning, the 5-lane road and bridge have been presented as a done deal. But, we do live in a democracy, and we the people can stop this project. That's why the politicians and bureaucrats who want a 5-lane road have relied upon intimidation and spin to suppress the opposition. Who do our elected officials represent? Over-the-road trucking companies, maybe?
Economic Impact
Coming soon to your neighborhood: Blight!
A large number of homes are fronted on Red Bridge Road. The threat of a noisier, dirtier, and more dangerous road almost literally on their doorsteps has already depressed home values. Some of us have lived here since before Red Bridge Road was even a part of Kansas City. Is our legacy to become a row of poorly-maintained rental properties, which in turn will drag down the adjoining neighborhoods? That's just what has happened after similar projects all over America.
Public Participation
ISTEA Anyone?
Both the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 and its successor, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), require that the interests of local communities receive full consideration when transportation investment decisions are made. Established guidlines provide for the identification of "stakeholders" and full public participation in the planning and project development phases leading up to and including selection of the final design. What happened in our case? Seems they just skipped that step.