RIBBON CUTTING SET FOR SEPT. 30
The public is invited to help celebrate the upcoming completion of the $220 million Buck O’Neil/U.S. Hwy. 169 Bridge Project at a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 30, with the ceremony site opening at 9:30 a.m.
The celebration will be held on the south side of the project near the intersection of 5th St. and Broadway Ave. in downtown Kansas City.
The bridge is set to officially open to traffic later in October.
The official ribbon cutting is scheduled to take place immediately following the guest speakers. Anticipated speakers include:
·Missouri Governor Michael Parson,
·the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission,
·City of Kansas City Manager Brian Platt,
·Interim MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger,
·Massman-Clarkson, A Joint Venture, Project Sponsor Henry Massman and
·Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick.
The new Buck O’Neil Bridge is anticipated to last for 100 years or more and will require much less costly maintenance. It will provide direct connections from Interstate 35 to U.S. Highway 169, dedicated lanes to downtown Kansas City, a new bike/pedestrian lane, access improvements at the downtown airport, and a scenic overlook with benches and murals.
“The completion of this project will benefit motorists driving through the region as well as commuters and others driving on the city streets,” said James Pflum, MoDOT project director. “With the realignment of the bridge to allow a direct connection of U.S. Highway 169 and I-35, we also expect to experience shorter drive times.”
Project goals included:
·Construct a new Missouri River Bridge that can be reasonably maintained and will provide a century of service within the program budget.
·Provide a safe, connected, and accessible transportation facility that improves system performance.
·Minimize the impact to the traveling public during construction.
·Complete the project by Dec. 1, 2024, using a diverse workforce.
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