Exciting New Chapter for Kansas City: Buck O’Neil Bridge Unveiled!
Kansas City residents, rejoice! A significant milestone was celebrated this past Monday morning with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new Buck O’Neil Bridge. While it’s a momentous occasion, don’t rush to cross over just yet! The new bridges will officially open to traffic later this October, after a few more finishing touches are done.
A Warm Welcome
The ceremony kicked off at 10 a.m. on the south side of the project, specifically at the intersection of Fifth Street and Broadway in downtown Kansas City. A wonderful group of speakers, including Missouri Governor Mike Parsons and U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, shared their thoughts about this spectacular addition to the city’s infrastructure. Even Bob Kendrick, the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, took to the podium, paying tribute to the bridge’s namesake, the beloved sports legend Buck O’Neil.
A Bridge with History
The newly constructed highway bridges have replaced the old iconic triple-arch, steel-truss bridge that has graced the city since 1956. Initially a toll bridge operated by the city, the former Broadway Bridge cost residents 25 cents to cross and generated nearly $40 million during its operation. In 2016, the old bridge was officially renamed to honor Buck O’Neil, who left an indelible mark on Kansas City and the world of baseball. However, the bridge was nearing the end of its projected service life, prompting the need for a replacement.
A Modern Upgrade
Fast forward to today—the two new modern bridges are part of a $220 million project that began construction in July 2021 and are expected to last for over 100 years. They promise to be less costly to maintain and more efficient for the community. One of the exciting features of this upgrade is the direct connections provided from Interstate 35 to U.S. 169, and for those who enjoy biking or walking, there’s even a dedicated bike/pedestrian lane!
Traffic Updates
Crew members have already made significant updates to the traffic flow in the area. Earlier this year, the northbound traffic on U.S. 169 was shifted to one of the newly built river bridges, while the new southbound bridge currently carries northbound traffic until the official opening. Right now, southbound U.S. 169 is closed at the Wheeler Downtown Airport, and if you’re driving in that direction, you’ll need to take a detour via Interstate 29/35 over the Bond Bridge on the northeast corner of downtown.
A Scenic Addition
Thanks to the extensive planning and construction efforts, not only do we get better traffic flow, but we also enjoy improved access to the Wheeler Downtown Airport. An added touch is the scenic overlook featuring benches and beautiful murals for everyone to enjoy the view of the river.
Anticipation Builds for Residents
As project director James Pflum noted, “The completion of this project will benefit motorists driving through the region as well as commuters and others driving on the city streets.” With the realignment of the bridge, Kansas City residents can look forward to shorter drive times and easier accessibility.
So, while we might have to hold our horses for a few more weeks before officially using the new Buck O’Neil Bridge, the excitement in the air is palpable. This new infrastructure symbolizes not just a connector between regions but a testament to Kansas City’s ongoing growth and improvement. Get ready for a smoother, more scenic commute that honors the past while paving the way to a bright future!
