SE Kansas City News

(Washington, D.C.) – On June 8, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the Port Authority of Kansas City has been awarded a $2,000,000 grant from the first-ever round of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s new Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program. Rep. Cleaver helped secure funding for the grant program with his support for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“As Kansas City continues to develop, far too many of our railroad crossings are now outdated and inconvenient for local residents and small businesses—which not only can lead to frustrating delays for those who are blocked at these crossings, but also to some of the highest rates of railroad derailments in the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Port Authority of Kansas City will receive $2 million in federal funding to begin the process of eliminating out-of-date rail crossings at the Berkley Riverfront, helping to reconnect residents with the ongoing revitalization efforts in the area and boost economic activity. I was proud to support President Biden’s signature infrastructure bill because I knew it would provide concrete improvements to the lives of Missouri residents—and this is just the latest example of that happening in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District.”

“Our goal is to make Berkley Riverfront accessible to all. Eliminating dangerous barriers to one of Kansas City’s emerging destinations is key to the riverfront’s growth and success. More than one-thousand residents call the riverfront their home, and many more citizens visit the riverfront daily for recreation and relaxation. The Kansas City Current is building the first stadium for a women’s sports team, a boutique hotel will open in less than a year with a beer garden right behind it. We are grateful and excited to be able to continue our efforts to reconnect our community in a way that is safe and beneficial for citizens, visitors and our railroads,” said Jon Stephens, President & CEO of Port KC.

The $2,000,000 RCE grant will support planning and development to eliminate three at-grade crossings on Lydia Avenue. These crossings are the only at-grade crossings on Lydia Avenue and have no sidewalk or bicycle right-of-way. By eliminating the at-grade crossings, the Port Authority of Kansas City would improve mobility and connectivity for local residents in the area. Given the Berkley Riverfront area’s revitalization through the development of commercial event facilities, green spaces, and recreational opportunities, grade crossing upgrades will also be critical to the future development of the area. The Port Authority of Kansas City is providing a 20 percent non-Federal match in funding.

Over each of the next four years, additional RCE Program funding will be made available annually, and communities are encouraged to apply. Project selections for other grant programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, representing billions of dollars in infrastructure investments, which will improve freight rail safety and efficiency, strengthen supply chains, and expand the passenger rail network will be announced in the coming months.

Find more information about the infrastructure investments in Missouri from the Cleaver-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Original source can be found here