Traffic alert: North loop of KC’s downtown reopens after temporary closure
Editor’s note: This story includes a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
The highways that make up and lead to Kansas City’s downtown loop were closed for about an hour after Thursday morning’s rush hour after police responded to a person experiencing a mental health crisis in the area, a police spokesperson said.
Kansas City Scout reported that eastbound Interstate 70 was closed at Missouri 9 and westbound I-70 was closed at Grand Boulevard shortly before 9 a.m. The ramp from southbound Missouri 9 to westbound I-70 was also closed, as well as other ramps leading to the north loop.
Northbound Interstate 35 north of Interstate 670 on the west side of the downtown loop was closed. Most of the closures lasted about an hour., although the ramp from southbound Missouri 9 to westbound I-70 remained closed at 10:30 a.m. and wasn’t expected to reopen until around 11 a.m., according to Kansas City Scout.
Police negotiators were in the area, working with a person experiencing a mental health crisis and was suicidal, said Officer Alayna Gonzalez with the Kansas City Police Department.
Traffic was diverted away from the area, but there was no danger to the public, Gonzalez said.
