Kansas City is redoing this bridge on the Plaza. What will happen to statue?
If you’ve driven through the Country Club Plaza recently, you’ve probably noticed construction around the Wornall Bridge. Part of the construction includes work around a historic Kansas City statue that has stood in its place since 1984.
Since September 2025, the city has been doing renovations throughout the area as a part of its “2026 World Cup Legacy Project.” Roughly $1.5 million is being invested into this project, according to the city, which will go toward enhancing the city’s appearance once fans from around the world come to town.
One of the spots getting enhancements is the Wornall Bridge, which is sandwiched between Wornall Road and Broadway. Crews are repairing the sidewalks, replacing paver bricks, and replacing railings and barriers near the bridge. Traffic is still open on both sides of the bridge with one lane closed, while those walking can walk between the construction barriers that is next to the sidewalk.
“Because (the bridge) connects with the Plaza, we’re trying to keep in mind all the foot traffic that is going to be in that area,” said Toni Zibert, spokesperson for Kansas City Parks & Recreation. “With the tournament coming here to Kansas City, I think the city kind of fast-tracked that project instead of more damage being done.”
Zibert says that the project will help the bridge handle the number of people crossing it throughout the World Cup, and that it will make it “look really pretty.”
The “Married Love” sculpture, which is located on the corner of Ward Parkway and Wornall Road, will be untouched. The base of the sculpture and the sidewalk surrounding it will receive a facelift.
What are the other restoration projects happening in KC?
Zibert says different city departments have their own World Cup project. One example she gave was the project at Yvonne Starks Wilson Park, which will get multiple upgrades, including a basketball court and a walking trail.
Other projects expected to take place include street improvements and a transit corridor redesign on Stadium Drive. The city also says that there will be updated transportation plan for SouthWest Boulevard, though specific details for the plans weren’t immediately available.
Both the Wornall Bridge and the Wilson Park project will be done by May, according to Zibert.
What’s the significance of the “Married Love” sculpture?
The bronze duo of Winston Churchill and his beloved wife, Clementine have shared a seat on the corner for over 40 years. Winston was a British statesman and a former prime minister of the U.K., whose strong ties to Kansas City eventually led his enshrinement.
The story of the statue dates back to March 5, 1946, when Churchill delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He had accepted an invitation from President Harry S. Truman, a Lamar, Missouri native.
Churchill would also eventually meet Joyce C. Hall, the founder of Kansas City’s Hallmark Cards Inc. This would lead to the two partnering to create the Churchill Christmas Cards. Millions of pre-orders were made by stores to get the cards, with the popularity growing the work into additional calenders and cards.
The Churchills’ statues were dedicated across the street from the Intercontinental Hotel and Diana Fountain, on May 12, 1984, according to the City of Fountains Foundation. Oscar Nemon, the creator of the sculpture, crafted a smaller sculpture for Blenheim Palace in England, where Winston was born and married.
