Advocates See Opportunity in Kansas City's $800 Million Transportation Bond

Kansas City, Missouri is in the process of considering an $800 million general obligation bond to fund transportation projects. The advocacy group BikeWalkKC, seeing the opportunity, is already advocating for how to put that money to use.

1 minute read

November 25, 2016, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Kansas City

TommyBrison / Shutterstock

BikeWalkKC has been diligently tracking the evolution of a proposed $800 million general obligation bond that will fund transportation projects in Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) for 20 years.

A BikeWalkKC post earlier in the month of November marshaled resources when KCMO City Manager Troy Schulte introduced the bond to the City Council.

A more recent post by Eric Bunch begins to set an agenda for advocacy as the bond takes shape. The first recommendation of BikeWalkKC is to craft a "Comprehensive Transportation Policy." Bunch writes:

As anticipated, the proposed $800m in infrastructure bond would provide funding for projects in six broad categories. The proposal is still devoid of a detailed project list or even funding levels for each of the category.

Bunch adds:

To ensure that infrastructure investments are strategic and responsive to changing priorities, the city must adopt comprehensive policy that clearly outlines long range mobility goals. Such policy would establish a framework for strategic decision making that is in the best interest of the public good.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 in BikeWalkKC

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360