Federal agency delivers $62.6 million grant to replace Kansas River bridge in KCK
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a grant to the state of Kansas to provide $62.6 million toward replacement of the 18th Street bridge over the Kansas River in Kansas City, Kansas. The existing bridge was built in 1959, repaired numerous times and experts believe it to be near the end of its useful life. (Submitted)
TOPEKA — The mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, welcomed a $62.6 million federal grant for replace the aging 18th Street Bridge over the Kansas River.
“Bridge infrastructure represents the lifeblood of transportation arterial connections that make a city and community work, thrive and grow,” said Mayor Tyrone Garner. “We pledge to work diligently with our federal and state partners to make this bridge project successful, and we are committed to strengthening our partnerships to address other critical bridge needs within our community.”
The 18th Street bridge is part of U.S. 69 and an important vehicle link for Kansas City neighborhoods. Built in 1959, Kansas Department of Transportation determined repairs to the bridge were no longer cost-effective. The grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to KDOT allowed the replacement project to proceed.
Inspections triggered a decision to temporary closure of the bridge from April to December 2018 for extensive repairs of corrosion and cracking. Currently, the bridge has four 12-foot lanes with narrow shoulders of two to three feet in width. Plans for the new bridge call for implementation of modern design standards with 10-foot exterior shoulders and 6-foot interior shoulders in addition of the four 12-foot lanes.
Aesthetically, the replacement bridge would have a stone pattern consistent with the Lewis and Clark Viaduct connecting Kansas City, Kansas, to Kansas City, Missouri. The 18th Street project would provide accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians at both ends of the bridge.
“The health of our transportation infrastructure is vital to the safety of all who travel on Kansas’ roads, bridges and highways,” said Gov. Laura Kelly. “The 18th Street bridge has been a critical connection for decades.”
The existing schedule has construction starting in 2025 with the bridge closed to traffic throughout the estimated 24-month project.
The award to KDOT was part of $5 billion in bridge project awards funneled through the Federal Highway Administration’s competitive bridge investment program. The latest round of grants served to finance reconstruction, repair and restoration — using American-made materials — of 13 nationally significant bridges in 16 states.
The federal program allocated minimum grant awards of $50 million and maximum awards of 50% of total eligible project costs.
“For too long America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains, and cost people time and money — but now the Biden-Harris Administration is changing that with the biggest investment in our bridges since the Eisenhower era,” said Pete Buttigieg, secretary of the federal transportation department.
He said there were 3,000 fewer bridges in poor condition than when Biden took office nearly four years ago.
The post Federal agency delivers $62.6 million grant to replace Kansas River bridge in KCK appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
