Last updated: 22nd November 2004

Garth Avenue and the Bear Creek Trail

The construction of a new pedway along Garth Avenue where it crosses the Bear Creek Trail creates a new bike/ped NODE in North Columbia

The 8' pedway (shown above left on the right side of the street) parallels the west side of Garth Avenue in the region of the new bridge over Bear Creek. At this location, a spur of the 4.5-mile Bear Creek Trail passes under the bridge close to the creek (shown above right). The intersection of these two bicycle/pedestrian routes creates a substantial node with pathways north, south, east, and west, and greatly increases the number of possible journeys that may be taken by active transportation.

In addition to the east-west Bear Creek Trail, another new pedway will be installed along Blue Ridge Road (a quarter-mile north of the trail) eastward to Highway 763 (Range Line Street) and, probably, westward along a newly constructed section to Creasy Springs Road. There are also plans to run a pedway along Highway 763 from Big Bear Blvd. (near the Bear Creek Trail) 3 miles north to the VV/763 intersection. This means that ALL the many neighborhoods that are being built in that large area of north Columbia will have safe and pleasant facilities to reach the Bear Creek Trail and, via the trail, Cosmo and Oakland Parks. This will be a truly multi-modal transportation corridor that will add great value, pleasure and vitality to the surrounding homes.

As more components of the PedNet network continue to be constructed in other parts of town, more nodes and many more potential journeys will be created.

Green Meadows Extension

The Columbia Public Works Department recently announced the beginning of construction of the Green Meadows Road Project, including an 8-foot wide pedway.

Steve & Associates, Inc. of Fulton, Mo., was the successful bidder on the project in the amount of $1,478,758.26. This project will consist of the construction of a 43-foot wide asphaltic cement concrete pavement with concrete curb and gutters, 3,420 lineal feet of storm drainage piping, an 8-foot wide pedway, landscaping islands and other incidental work. The project limits are from Providence Road at the west end extending east to the existing connection with Grindstone Avenue. No road closures are expected.

It is anticipated that construction will be completed by spring of 2005. Care should be exercised in the construction area and alternate routes should be used.

Worley Street Sidewalk Improvement

A new 5' sidewalk is under construction on the north side of Worley Street just west of West Boulevard.

The sidewalk is located in front of the new Columbia/Boone County Health Dept. (formerly, Nowell's Supermarket). The Health Dept. relocated here to be provide a more convenient service for its clients, many of whom walk or use public transport.

Director Stephanie Browning relates watching three children walk to West Boulevard Elementary School every day. She noticed them inspecting each day's advances in the sidewalk construction. One day, with the forms in place and awaiting the pouring of cement, the children stepped right into the form to walk down the middle of the sidewalk-to-be. Perhaps they were anticipating the safer, more pleasant walk they will have once the sidewalk is completed.