The Buck O’Neil Bridge closed on Monday, January 29, 2024, as crews shifted traffic from the existing bridge to one of the newly built river bridges. The bridge, which was nearing the end of its projected life span, served as a key regional connection between downtown Kansas City and the Northland communities, which have changed significantly since the bridge was built. Nearly 50,000 vehicles a day had used the bridge.
Kansas City Star file photo
The iconic Buck O’Neil Bridge officially closed Monday, Jan. 31, as traffic was diverted to a new bridge with the same name that will continue to carry traffic over the Missouri River.
Opened in 1956, the steel triple-arch bridge was built for $12 million and operated as a toll bridge until 1991.
Originally named The Broadway Bridge, it was renamed the John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge in 2016 to honor Negro Leagues manager and Kansas City sports legend Buck O’Neil in 2016.
The bridge is slated for demolition.
Nearly 50,000 cars a day crossed the bridge.
The Kansas City skyline is framed by the Broadway Bridge, which was dedicated in 1956. Kansas City Public Library
Construction begins on what was then called the Broadway Bridge near the old Hannibal Bridge near downtown Kansas City in the mid-1950s. Kansas City Star file photo
Worker Gary Tichenor stands atop the Buck O’Neil Bridge while adding a new coat of paint. Kansas City Star file photo
Traffic flowed over the John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge in 2017. Kansas City Star file photo
The Missouri Department of Transportation closed several miles of northbound lanes of Route 169 just north of the Buck O’Neil Bridge in 2011. Kansas City Star file photo
Runners cross the Buck O’Neil Bridge on their way to the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport during an annual run in 2009. Kansas City Star file photo
The Buck O’Neil Bridge was illuminated in conjunction with the Lewis and Clark celebrations in 2004. Kansas City Star file photo
The aging Buck O’Neil Bridge, built in 1956, carries U.S. 169 over the Missouri River near the Wheeler Downtown Airport. Nearly 50,000 vehicles a day use the iconic triple-arch, steel-truss bridge. Kansas City Star file photos
The downtown Kansas City skyline and the Buck O’Neil Bridge served as a background as a Southwest Airlines jet makes an unexpected landing at the downtown airport during a rainstorm in 1998. Kansas City Star file photo
The Buck O’Neil Bridge replacement, while still under construction in late January, could be seen from Woodswether Road. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Monty Davis is a video producer and has been with The Kansas City Star for 20 years. He specializes in telling human interest video stories using mobile gear such as his iPhone 13 Pro. Recently he took up an interest in deltiology which is the study and collection of postcards. From that came a new series for The Star called Past | Present. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with family, his pugs, kayaking and reading historical biographies about the American Revolution and the Civil War.
