Public Works?
Join us for an in-depth look at our metro’s infrastructure system with comprehensive original reporting. We take you underneath the pavement to tackle the state of our water and sewers. We track the state of highways and bridges in Kansas and Missouri. We take a closer look at our public transit system. And, perhaps most importantly, we convene policymakers and industry leaders in search of solutions.
Follow the entire project here, and ask us your infrastructure questions.
Water Rates and Rivers
Water Rates and Rivers explores the reasons behind the steep climb in Kansas City water rates and asks “Was this inevitable and is it fair?” The hike in prices is largely explained by a federal mandate requiring KCMO to upgrade its sewage system and to reduce pollution of the Blue River watershed. But to what…
The State of Our Metro Bridges? May Not Want to Shut Your Eyes
When it comes to the sorry state of Kansas City bridges, City Manager Troy Schulte says the one that keeps him up at night is the old Broadway Bridge over the Missouri River. But a Flatland analysis of bridge inspection data reveals that there are enough problem bridges in the metropolitan area to keep Schulte…
Testing the Water in Our Watershed
From road salt to pet waste to runoff when it rains, the Blue River and its tributaries have been polluted over time. So much so that in 2010 the EPA gave Kansas City 25 years to reduce the amount of raw sewage dumped into the watershed. Lynn Youngblood, executive director of the Blue River Watershed Association,…
It’s the Journey: A Slice of Bus Life
Climb on board as we follow three Kansas City residents as they navigate daily life on our regional bus system. One surprising point agreed upon from both those who need to use it and those who want to use it: It may be the key to a stronger community. Public Works? The Cost of Our…
It’s the Journey: A Slice of Bus Life | Preview
If you’ve ever wondered how people navigate the city using public transportation, watch “The Bus Riders,“ the first in a three-part series on the quality of the city’s infrastructure and how Kansas Citians use it. Here’s a preview in advance of Monday’s Episode 1. All three episodes culminate in a documentary at 7:30 p.m., March 30 on KCPT. — Follow the entire…