KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Traffic is never-ending along Prospect Avenue, which is one of the most dangerous corridors in the city for pedestrians.
The city blames that on speeding and reckless driving. That’s why the Kansas City Council passed the Vision Zero resolution in 2020, to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on our streets by 2030.
Park Hill student says he was suspended after defending himself in racist incident Not even two weeks ago, 31-year-old woman Maurshay Brown was hit at 9:30 p.m., crossing Prospect near 31st. Kansas City police said she had been in the middle of the road when a Dodge Charger traveling northbound hit her. The woman died at a hospital from her injuries.
“I’ve seen many people get hit and many crashes up and down Prospect from 75th to 31st,” said Corey Griffin. “Not to mention, I’ve been in a few of them myself.”
Griffin, who lives in the area and acts as a citizen reporter through his KC Reel TV Instagram account, says the big issue is people not paying attention, whether they’re walking or behind the wheel. “You can blame both parties.”
On Wednesday, Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II announced that Kansas City is getting $10 million in federal funding to improve part of Prospect. It’ll go toward sidewalks and bus stops, creating pedestrian refuge islands, extending curbs, and adding lighting. However, only the two-mile stretch of Prospect between Linwood and Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard will benefit.
“For far too long, Prospect Avenue has been one of the most dangerous corridors in Kansas City for pedestrians and drivers alike,” wrote Congressman Cleaver II in a press release.
Back in May, he sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg writing:
“The Vision Zero – Prospect Corridor is in the heart of Kansas City’s Black Community, which has historically suffered from a lack of investments and public improvements. Safe Streets for All improvements on this 1.87 mile stretch of Prospect Avenue will reduce crashes by up to 47%, saving lives, preventing injury, and improving the safety.”
The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. The Congressman had called on the Department of Transportation earlier this year to support the Prospect project.
Despite the intentions to improve the area, Griffin is not convinced. “I guess it’s cool. It’ll make it look nice and what not, but you still have the people. They have to follow the rules, abide by the rules and look out for each other as well. You can blame the [drivers and pedestrians]. Not everybody plays their part and stays safe.”
Parts of I-435 to close in Johnson County for repairs “Well, I think it will more than address that issue and hopefully go further than two miles,” added Dani Baltimore, whose family owns Lutfi’s Fried Fish at East 37 th and Prospect. She would like to see that money fix the potholes outside her family’s business and along Prospect, but that’s not included in this round of funding. “The roads are not in the best conditions, and they definitely need some work.”
It’s not clear on when construction will begin to add those road safety improvements.
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