BOWLING GREEN, Mo.– Pedestrians and cyclists will soon have a safe route to cross the railroad tracks at the north end of Business Highway 61 in Bowling Green.

Pike County Commissioners announced that funding has been approved to construct a pedestrian bridge over the tracks near Fastlane and McCoy Blossom Funeral Home. The structure will be constructed on the west side of the current overpass. It will be independent of the roadway, with sidewalk approaches on both ends.

For years, both city and county officials have acknowledged the potential danger for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the railroad with that overpass, which was designed solely for two-way vehicular traffic.

“Our citizens deserve this project,” remarked Western District Commissioner Bill Allen. “We’ve been working on a plan to address it for several years.”

Eastern District Commissioner Tommy Wallace noted the overpass poses a potentially dangerous situation and it needed to be rectified.

“It’s just a matter of safety. We have moms with strollers and kids with bicycles trying to cross there with traffic going both ways. It’s an issue that needs to be taken care of,” Wallace asserted.

Grant funding was secured through the Missouri Department of Transportation Alternative Program (TAP). The federal funds will cover up to 80 percent of the project, not to exceed $500,000. It’s anticipated the total will be around $600,00-$800,000.

Commissioners have already conducted cost estimates and a feasibility study for the project. The next step will be a review of the qualifications submitted by prospective engineers for the design and construction services. The project will complete the design phase over the remainder of the year. Commissioners hope to have construction underway by the end of next year.