Hickory County MO Active Transportation Toolbox
What: Implementation guide for active transportation projects
When: 2022
Team: BikeWalkKC
Client: Hickory County, Missouri
Funding: Active Living Communities of Practice (ALCP) Grant Program
Hickory County is a rural county in southwest Missouri that nearly 10,000 people call home. There are several population centers within Hickory County, the most populous includes Weaubleau, Hermitage, and Wheatland. These communities each have approximately 400 residents. While those living in these communities or on county land enjoy the lifestyle its rural nature affords, the population can exceed 100,000 on weekends due to visitors to Pomme de Terre Lake and Lucas Oil Speedway events. Hickory County has a significant senior population, making up one-third of all residents. This, combined with the auto-centric and low density nature of Hickory County, presents transportation challenges.
Based on conversations with government officials, community members, and stakeholders, two main themes emerged regarding transportation equity in Hickory County:
- US-54 is a barrier to accessibility both to reach destinations along the corridor, as well as to travel between communities along it, specifically between Hermitage and Wheatland.
- Walkability within communities is limited as there are inconsistencies in infrastructure and an environment that favors cars.
This Active Transportation Toolbox provides practical and cost-effective improvements Hickory County can implement to improve mobility for all.
