Columbia City Council to finalize funding for reconstruction project on Clark Lane

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council will meet Monday to discuss a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration that will help to fund a reconstruction project along 1.32 miles of Clark Lane.

Approval will authorize the city manager to execute a $8.4 million federal grant awarded through the 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program.

City documents show the estimated total cost of the project is $10,520,310. Federal funds from the SS4A grant will cover 80% or $8,416,248

The remaining 20% will be a local match of $2,104,062, funded through the City of Columbia's Capitol Improvement Sales tax.

Long-term fiscal impacts of the project are the maintenance costs for the facilities of $30,000 per year.

The project plans to enhance accessibility along Clark Lane, which stretches from Highway 63 to Ballenger Lane, according to the city council memos.

Planned infrastructure improvements include:

• Reduced speed limits to 35 mph.
• Addition of four speed limit signs.
• Improved street lighting at intersections and signals.
• Continuous sidewalks on both sides of roadways: a six-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side and a 10-foot mixed-use trail on the south side.
• East and West bicycle lanes.
• Four vehicle lanes.

The reason for this renovation project is the ongoing safety concerns on the roadway, according to Columbia's Vision Zero. The city documents state that the "Clark Lane Corridor is a critical transportation route for the local underserved and disadvantaged communities," and that stretch of road is "identified as one of the deadliest corridors in the area." Columbia's Vision Zero initiative, adopted in December 2016, aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.

According to data in the city memos, 115 people have been involved in crashes on Clark Lane between 2017 and 2021, one of which ended in a fatality.

In the city documents, design work is underway, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2028 and continue through 2030.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Monday at city hall.