Study for replacement of Kansas City's Buck O'Neil Bridge - will it include bike/ped? Sign up for updates | MoDOT

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

The John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge (formerly the Broadway Bridge), is a triple arch bridge carrying U.S. 169 over the Missouri River serving as a key regional connection between downtown Kansas City and communities north of the river.

While safe, the bridge is nearing the end of its projected lifespan. Opened in 1956, the bridge recently celebrated its 60th year of operation. Since that time, the neighborhoods and communities on both sides of the bridge have changed significantly and now nearly 50,000 vehicles use the bridge daily.

The Buck O’Neil Bridge is currently undergoing a short-term rehabilitation to extend its service life. More significant repairs would need to be made or a new bridge would need to be constructed to provide a crossing that would support continued use well into the future.

To facilitate the evaluation of an improved river crossing, MoDOT is conducting an environmental study.

Link: 

Study for replacement of Kansas City's Buck O'Neil Bridge - will it include bike/ped? Sign up for updates | MoDOT

MoBikeFed comment: Follow the link for more info or to sign up to receive updates on the project.

This is a major Missouri River Crossing near downtown Kansas City, and needs to have good bicycle & pedestrian access when it is replaced.

Local advocates like BikeWalkKC have been working hard to ensure that bike/ped is included in the new bridge design. The Regional River Crossings Policy, created by the Mid-America Regional Council in coordination with local officials and advocacy groups, including the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, indicates that KC-region major river crossings should include bicycle & pedestrian accommodation.

But when a big new bridge is under consideration, it always takes major local advocacy and citizen involvement to make sure it happens.

So please sign up for alerts from MoDOT and support local advocacy group BikeWalkKC in their work on this important project:

http://bikewalkkc.org

https://www.modot.org/buck-oneil-bridge-environmental-study