Getting downtown from Northland won’t get easier until 2032 with new bridgework
Northland residents can expect almost continuous construction around downtown for the next six years, with plans to replace three bridges around the Bond bridge after reconstructing parts of northbound U.S. 169.
The Missouri Department of Transportation shared plans for the construction on Interstates 29 and 35 to the north and south of the Missouri River in North Kansas City and near downtown Kansas City.
Two lanes in each direction would remain open as crews rebuild bridges over Guinotte Avenue and Bedford Avenue. In addition, the bridge over East Front Street will gain a fourth southbound lane.
Built in 1953, engineers say the structures are old enough that repairs would soon become constant. A slideshow from a February public meeting states, “While (the bridges) remain safe to travel on today, the structures are deteriorating and require frequent maintenance.”
Construction on the three bridges is scheduled to begin in 2028 and take four years. Residents can share their thoughts through an online form until Friday, March 27.
MODOT expects to close some exits throughout construction.
The new bridges will leave space for a new trail at Levee Road, on the north banks of the Missouri. MODOT has to coordinate with railroad companies as two of the bridges cross railroad tracks.
Approximately 117,000 vehicles take these bridges each day, according to MODOT data. The viaducts carry traffic between Liberty, the Northland and North Kansas City to downtown, Columbus Park and Berkley Riverfront Park areas, and between the KC Current’s CPKC Stadium and Bally’s Casino.
Drivers going between north and south of the river have been delayed due to construction in recent years. From 2021 to 2024, drivers navigated construction on I-35, I-70 and U.S. 169 while MODOT replaced the Buck O’Neil Bridge.
Only a year later, engineers found structural issues with a viaduct on northbound U.S. 169 near the downtown airport and closed it immediately. Construction on the northbound 169 viaduct is scheduled to begin in August 2026 and end two years later, just in time to start construction around the Bond bridge.
With U.S. 169 construction, MODOT suggested drivers use other Missouri River crossings, including the Fairfax, Heart of America, and Chouteau bridges.
The Star’s Robert Cronkleton contributed to this report.
