Features and documents
University Transportation Research Center: "Analysis of Bicycling Trends in Large North American Cities"
Trek Bicycle's CEO, John Burke, addresses the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Hearing: "Improving and Reforming the Nation's Surface Transportaion Programs"
Current News
May 15, 2011
Opening of the first portion of The Link, from JQH Arena to Hammons Field along Hammons Parkway. There was a Ribbon-Cutting at the south end then a ride along the route ending at the ballfield. Special Event at Cardinals game to celebrate.
November 17, 2010
City staff is currently preparing an inventory of the North and Central routes of The Link. The north route extends between Doling Park and the Jordan Creek Greenway. The Central Route extends from the Jordan Creek Greenway to Phelps Grove Park. Staff is working to organize planning committees for the two routes. The planning committees will include stakeholders along the routes and will begin meeting after the first of the year.
October 20, 2010
The City applied for a $3 million grant from the federal government to help plan and construct The Link. Unfortunately, we did not receive the grant, but we are proceeding with the initial North and Central Routes of The Link.
The Link is a planned bicycle and pedestrian route through Springfield’s core that will connect existing and planned greenways. The route will be primarily on existing streets with minimal vehicular traffic. The experiences of walkers and bicyclists on The Link will vary along different routes; however, the ultimate goal is to develop a system of shared-use routes that creates an experience of comfort and safety. While the experience will not be the same as walking or riding on a greenway trail, the landscaping, fixtures, and materials along The Link are planned to be better than along a typical city street.
The Link will connect more than just greenways. By routing The Link through the core of Springfield, it will connect neighborhoods; other modes of travel; and retail, services and employment activity centers. The centers include:
- Commercial Street
- Drury University
- Ozarks Technical Community College
- The IDEA Commons
- Jordan Valley
- Hammons Field (Cardinal’s minor league team)
- Downtown
- Missouri State University
- St. John’s Hospital
- Battlefield Mall
- Cox South Hospital.
The initial routes are in north and central Springfield where many of the City's low- and moderate-income neighborhoods are located. These routes will provide alternative transportation for residents that need it the most.
Where routes intersect a greenway or a transit route, Link Stations are planned. Link Stations are shelters with amenities such as benches, water fountains and bike racks and lockers. This will allow residents to ride a bus to The Link and continue their trips on foot or by bicycle. All City Utilities’ buses have bicycle racks. There are also plans to demonstrate innovative storm water solutions to reduce localized drainage issues and improve the environment along The Link.
The Link, like the greenway system, will take a number of years to complete. All of the funding is not available to complete The Link. A Concept Plan is being developed for the routes shown on the concept map to provide designs for signage along all routes and infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, pavement markings, traffic signal modifications, lighting, storm water improvements, link stations, and landscaping along the entire north-south corridor.
