Buck O’Neil Bridge replacement closings begin. Here’s how to get around Kansas City
Drivers might find their commutes a bit more challenging beginning Monday after crews closed part of the downtown Kansas City highway loop for the Buck O’Neil Bridge replacement project.
The closings, which will last for 275 days, are expected to have significant impact on drivers, especially during rush hour. The Missouri Department of Transportation has urged drivers to plan ahead for backups and add extra travel time to their commutes.
Here’s what drivers can expect:
- The ramp from westbound Interstate 670 to northbound Interstate 35 has been closed.
- Northbound I-35 has closed at the 12th Street exit.
- The ramps from northbound I-35 to Broadway Boulevard and eastbound and westbound Interstate 70 have been closed.
About 23,950 cars, trucks and buses use the northbound stretch of I-35 in that area on weekdays, according to 2020 annual average weekday traffic volume. A marked detour will take drivers traveling on I-35 to reconnect with northbound U.S. 169 highway.
The closures are part of the $220 million project to build a replacement for the aging Buck O’Neil Bridge in the northwest corner of downtown Kansas City. The bridge, which opened in 1956, is a key connection between the Northland and downtown Kansas City. Formerly known as the Broadway Bridge, it is nearing the end of its projected lifespan.
Kansas City and MoDOT worked together to secure the funding for the new bridge. Massman-Clarkson, A Joint Venture, is the design-build contractor chosen for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2024.
The team includes the following Massman Construction Co., Clarkson Construction Co. and HNTB Corporation, all of Kansas City.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the cost of the Buck O’Neil Bridge replacement project. The cost is $220 million.
This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 7:01 AM.
