Southbound lanes of new Buck O’Neil Bridge, ramp to I-35 in Kansas City now open

The southbound lanes of U.S. 169 on the new Buck O'Neil Bridge and the flyover ramp to Interstate 35 in downtown Kansas City are now open, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.

The opening of the southbound lanes of the bridge is one of the last major milestones in the $220 million project to replace it .

"It is exciting to know after four years, we are able to open the project as promised by Dec. 1, 2024," said James Pflum, the Buck O'Neil Bridge project director. "I think it is important to note that the improvements on the project are not just for those coming from downtown but also regional commuters and for those who will utilize a new pedestrian pathway."

The new Buck O'Neil Bridge, located in the northwest corner of downtown Kansas City, is a pair of separate bridges built to replace the former iconic triple arch steel-truss bridge that opened in 1956 as a toll bridge run by the city.

The bridge, built during the post-World War II automobile boom, cost $12 million to construct and generated nearly $40 million in revenue. When tolls ended in 1991, it cost 25 cents a car to cross.

The following year, the city transferred ownership of the bridge to MoDOT. Once known as the Broadway Bridge, it was renamed in 2016 to honor popular sports legend Buck O'Neil.

The bridge, nearing the end of its projected service life and needing to be replaced, is a critical regional connection between downtown Kansas City and the Northland. Nearly 50,000 vehicles a day used the old bridge before it closed to traffic.

For the history of the bridge, see: From labor strikes to demolition, here's the history of Kansas City's Buck O'Neil Bridge.

Massman-Clarkson, A Joint Venture, was chosen as the design-build contractor for the project, and construction began in July 2021. In February 2023, southbound U.S. 169 closed at the Wheeler Downtown Airport, requiring drivers to detour along I-35 and over the Bond Bridge or find an alternative route.

The former bridge stopped carrying traffic over the river in January. Three separate blasts earlier this year demolished it .

The new bridges provide direct connections between Interstate 35 and U.S. 169, dedicated lanes to downtown Kansas City and a new bike/pedestrian lane. MoDOT said the flyover ramp from northbound I-35 to U.S. 169 and the shared-use path will open in the next few weeks.

The project also will provide improved access to the Downtown Airport and a scenic overlook with benches and murals, officials said.