Kansas Department Of Transportation
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Project Description
The U.S. 69 (18th Street) Bridge over the Kansas River was built in 1959 and has been a crucial part of the community for more than 65 years. Over the course of its life, the bridge has undergone numerous rehabilitations and repairs, however, the bridge is nearing the end of its lifespan. The project is moving forward and KDOT is preparing for construction.
KDOT will be implementing additional improvements within the U.S. 69 (18th Street) full closure limits to improve motorists’ driving experience. These improvements will include:
- Reconstructing U.S. 69 (18th Street) Bridge over the Kansas River and BNSF Rail Yard to modern design standards
- Roadway improvements along U.S. 69 (18th Street) within full closure limits just north and south of the U.S. 69 (18th Street) Bridge over the Kansas River and BNSF Rail Yard
- Bridge rehabilitation on bridges over Ruby Avenue, Metropolitan Avenue, Osage Avenue and the Kansas City Terminal (KCT) / Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway
State Route Detour
During the closure of U.S. 69 (18th Street) from K-32 to Ruby Avenue, KDOT will use a State Route Detour. Northbound traffic will exit at Ruby Avenue and southbound traffic will exit at Kansas Avenue/K-32. Traffic will be diverted to I-70, I-635 and I-35 as shown on the graphic.
Future U.S. 69 (18th Street) Bridge Design
Project Details
| Project Name | 18th Street Bridge Replacement |
| Project Number | KA-4881-02 |
| Location | Over the Kansas River in Kansas City, Kansas (KCK) |
| Scope | The bridge is nearing the end of its service life and any further rehabilitation beyond the repairs conducted in 2018 can no longer cost-effectively maintain this structure. The 18th Street bridge will have a complete bridge replacement, and KDOT will be implementing improvements to some of the adjacent bridges, roadway pavement, and roadside safety elements to make additional investments in the corridor and take advantage of the full closure. |
| Approximate Length | N/A |
| Project Timeline | Final design phase will conclude in 2024 with construction projected to begin in 2025. |
| Construction Cost | N/A |
Project Schedule
Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-February 2025, with the existing U.S. 69 (18th Street) Bridge closing to traffic the first week of March, weather permitting. Construction is expected to be complete and the new bridge open to traffic by Fall 2027.
Public Meetings
Events
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18th Street Bridge Replacement Virtual Open House
02/20/2025 - 03/20/2025
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18th Street Bridge On-Demand Public Meeting
07/15/2022 - 07/29/2022
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18th Street Bridge Public Information Open House
07/14/2022 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Project Materials
Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
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