Construction on a new $220 million replacement for the Buck O’Neil Bridge in Kansas City is set to begin in fall and take three years to complete, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
MoDOT recently released a virtual tour of the future bridge, which includes bike paths and trail connections:
The triple-arch bridge on U.S. 169 over the Missouri River has connected the city with communities in North Kansas City since 1956. The historic bridge, formerly the Broadway Bridge, now handles about 50,000 vehicles and has undergone a short-term rehab. MoDOT says a new bridge is needed to better serve current and future traffic.
Last month, MoDOT awarded a contract for the bridge project to the Massman-Clarkson design-build team. The team includes the following Kansas City-based firms Massman Company, Clarkson Construction and HNTB Corporation. The bridge will link U.S. 169 to Interstate 35.
The Broadway Bridge was renamed in 2016 the John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge for Jordan who was the first Black coach in Major League Baseball. He was also known for bringing recognition to the accomplishments of the Negro Leagues, in which he was a player and manager for the Kansas City Monarchs. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022 after his death in 2006.
The Buck O'Neil Bridge (foreground)Missouri Department of Transportation
