Columbia city council looks at federal funding for pedestrian safety projects

The city of Columbia looked at federal grants aimed at bicycle and pedestrian projects Monday night.

City staff gave council a list of options to rank by importance when they apply for Tap 21 grants.

They will then send applications through MoDOT to try to get, in total, nearly $2 million in grant money.

The top project is a sidewalk along Carter lane in south Columbia. It’s near the spot where a visiting scholar, Kui Zou, was hit and killed while walking on Providence Road nearly two years ago.

It was one death of many in 2015 that spurred the task force on pedestrian safety. But that area hasn’t seen any work since her death.

Carter Lane features several apartment and duplexes just off it, with dedicated Mizzou bus routes running along the stretch without a sidewalk for bikes of walkers.

Councilman Ian Thomas said a crosswalk in the area may also help people safely cross the street to get to the bus stop there.

The Downtown Community Improvement District was also asking for money to fund a crosswalk at Fourth Street and Broadway. City staff pointed out they may only get one of their five projects approved.