NORTH KANSAS CITY and KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Bicyclists and pedestrians seeking to cross the Missouri River will soon have a dedicated, safe route between North Kansas City and Kansas City's River Market area.
A ground breaking ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, will mark the official start of a major project to add bicycle and pedestrian accommodation to the Heart of America Bridge. MoDOT and representatives of North Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo. along with officials in Clay and Jackson counties, and leaders of the trails, bicycle and pedestrian communities will turn soil beneath the bridge on the south side of the river, near 3rd Street and Charlotte just east of the River Market area of Kansas City, Mo.
The bridge, which connects Downtown Kansas City with North Kansas City via Route 9, will be reconfigured to provide a barrier-protected multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians, including signage for motorized vehicles to share the road with bicyclists. Comanche Construction Co. was awarded a $3,383,420 contract to retrofit the 25-year-old bridge beginning this month. Engineering consultants Burns & McDonnell designed the project.
In 2006, MoDOT conducted a bicycle and pedestrian feasibility study as part of the Interstate 29/35 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The study team included representatives from Kansas City, North Kansas City, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), Missouri Bicycle Federation, Bridging the Gap, Federal Highway Administration, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and MoDOT.
The study team identified the Heart of America Bridge (Route 9) as the preferred river crossing for bicycles and pedestrians based on several factors including safety, lowest environmental impact, construction cost, maintenance, and best use of land. The final design considers the needs of pedestrians, casual riders, the advanced cyclist, and motorists. As a result, MoDOT committed to provide a barrier-separated bike and pedestrian option on Route 9 that extends from 10th Avenue in North Kansas City to 3rd Street in Kansas City.
Kansas City and North Kansas City are working with MoDOT to ensure the crossing meets community needs and connects with each city's bicycle routes and walkways. Thanks to funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the bicycle/pedestrian accommodation retrofit is under way this year, in conjunction with already scheduled bridgework.
For more information about other MoDOT projects, please visit MoDOT's Website at www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity. For instant updates, follow MoDOT_KC on Twitter or send questions and comments to
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