New KC pedestrian bridge was open over the weekend. It wasn’t supposed to be

A new pedestrian bridge along Grand Boulevard in Kansas City will make it quicker and easier to get to the Missouri Riverfront — once it’s open.

Despite social media discussion among residents about the apparent opening of the bridge, the city says the bridge will not actually be open to the public until early May.

The new pathway for pedestrians and cyclists follows the existing Grand Boulevard bridge and connects the River Market over train tracks to the Berkley Riverfront.

It was accessible over the weekend, but city public works spokesperson Ryan McMonigle said it wasn’t supposed to be. A Star reporter visited the bridge on Sunday evening and walked along it from both sides without issue. By Monday afternoon, a Star photographer found the bridge blocked from the riverfront side as crews continued work.

McMonigle said barricades were moved over the weekend when they weren’t supposed to be.

“Unfortunately, the same thing happened two weekends ago,” McMonigle said. “While we can’t say for certain what compelled someone to move the barricade, they are not meant to be moved until the project is 100% completed.”

Work remains to be done to finish the deck overlay and carry out some other finishing touches before the bridge can officially open, he said.

“Residents are advised not to move or go around any barricades or fencing and to follow all traffic/pedestrian control configurations throughout the duration of construction,” McMonigle said. “This is not just the case for the Grand Boulevard Bike/Ped Bridge, but all construction projects.”

The existing Grand Boulevard road bridge is curved and has no sidewalk, which poses safety concerns for people on foot and bikes sharing the road with vehicles.

But the new pathway separates traffic types and is expected to create a faster, more direct connection between the two neighborhoods than taking the Heritage Trail along the Berkley Riverfront via the Town of Kansas Bridge.

Mayor Quinton Lucas called the bridge a “great new path and investment” on Facebook Monday.

Sam Hagan, the president of the River Market Community Association, told The Star that the bridge will be a huge thing for its connectivity between the two neighborhoods.

He said that for years, people have used the street to walk over to the riverfront, which was not the safest option. Getting to the former Bar K, a dog park and bar off the riverfront, was tricky, for example.

“This expedites and gives people easier access,” Hagan said.

Hagan said the new bridge will encourage people to walk or bike, instead of drive, and that the neighborhood group has envisioned the project for years. He expects the new bridge to see heavy use.

The bridge cost just under $16 million. Funding sources included future city bonds, GO bonds and casino lease revenue, according to the city.

The new bridge comes as work continues on the streetcar extension to the riverfront, which could open in May. The 0.7-mile extension will similarly connect CPKC Stadium and the riverfront to the River Market.

The Port Authority of Kansas City announced plans last year to further connect the riverfront to surrounding neighborhoods, this time with a flyover at the railroad crossings in the Lydia Avenue area, connecting to the Columbus Park neighborhood.

Port KC received a federal grant to move to design process for the Lydia flyover forward.