Jackson County, KCATA reach funding agreement to purchase Rock Island Corridor

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders announces agreement between the county and KCATA to purchase Rock Island corridor.

Jackson County and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) reached a cooperative agreement that will provide the financing necessary for the future acquisition of the 17.7 miles of the Rock Island Corridor in Missouri from Union Pacific.

 

“This is an historic step forward for our entire community. The significance of this announcement and its potential to shape our county’s growth for generations to come, cannot be overstated,” said KCATA Executive Mike Sanders.

KCATA will provide part of the funding to acquire the corridor.

“The opportunity to secure this invaluable corridor for public access and future transportation and development will benefit our entire region for years to come. We are excited about our partnership with Jackson County. I applaud Mike Sanders for his efforts to secure the Rock Island Corridor over the last four years without which we would not be where we are today,” said KCATA President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Reardon.

While discussions with Union Pacific continue, the parties announced that they are nearing a final agreement.

“All major issues involving the acquisition of the Rock Island corridor have been agreed to. We anticipate having a final agreement very soon,” said Sanders. “In addition, $10 million in federal funds has already been set aside to help clear the way for future construction on the trail.”

The corridor extends from the Truman Sports Complex southeast to Lee’s Summit. With plans already in place to extend the Katy Trail from Windsor to Pleasant Hill, only a small gap will remain to connect the corridor with the Katy Trail. The parties said purchasing the corridor provides for the potential of connecting future rial transit to Kansas City’s River Market.

“Connecting the Rock Island corridor to the Katy Trail will make that trail one of the longest in our country,” said Sanders. “The economic impact of the Katy Trail on mid-Missouri has been immense, generating almost $20 million annually for local economies.”

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