Plans move forward to connect KC’s riverfront park to Columbus Park neighborhood

Plans to eliminate a dangerous railroad crossing near the KC Current stadium in the Berkley Riverfront area are moving forward, making it easier to get to the river and its new amenities from neighboring Columbus Park.

The Port Authority of Kansas City, the development agency that supports major projects in the city, received a $2 million federal grant to address concerns brought by a high-risk railroad crossing in the Riverfront area, which is transforming into a full-fledged neighborhood and entertainment district.

The rail crossing, on Lydia Avenue in the area’s southeast corner on a road connecting to Columbus Park, has four rail lines at street level with no sidewalks and little in the way of safety measures, presenting hazards for vehicles, pedestrians and emergency responders.

Trains cross 24 hours a day, according to a news release from Port KC, causing travel delays up to 40 minutes. When trains are stopped, people often climb between railcars, the release says.

The grant is helping Port KC study and design a flyover crossing for the corridor to improve safety, alleviate the traffic bottleneck and support economic development in the area.

Port KC is working with Burns & McDonnell during the design phase. Initial design work is expected to be completed in 2026.

The proposed flyover will be another improvement for access to the growing neighborhood, which includes CPKC Stadium, a quickly-rising slate of new apartments and new amenities for residents and visitors. Port KC and the Current have spearheaded the large-scale redevelopment just south of Missouri River near downtown.

Work also continues on a streetcar extension to the riverfront and a new pedestrian bridge to the area from the River Market.

The Riverfront is expected to more than double in new residents, visitors, apartments and businesses over the next decade.

The federal grant funding comes from a railroad crossing elimination program established under the infrastructure law Congress passed in 2021.