A much-anticipated, years-long undertaking to replace an iconic but aging bridge in Kansas City, Missouri, is nearing completion, following the demolition of the last of the old bridge's three arches. The Buck O'Neil Bridge Project is on track to wrap up this fall, replacing the old triple-arch bridge with two new plate girder spans, which is expected to require much less maintenance than the former bridge and was deemed the most cost-effective option.
The original John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge — formerly known as the Broadway Bridge before being renamed in 2016 to honor Kansas City sports legend Buck O’Neil — was a triple arch bridge carrying U.S. Highway 169 over the Missouri River. The bridge crossing serves as a key regional connection between downtown Kansas City and communities north of the river. It is also a connection point to the north-south Interstate 35 corridor and the east-west Interstate 70 corridor.
While the old bridge, which opened in 1956, was still considered safe, it was nearing the end of its projected lifespan. Also, the neighborhoods and communities on both sides of the bridge had changed significantly since the bridge's opening, with nearly 50,000 vehicles now using the route daily.
The existing bridge had undergone a $7 million short-term rehabilitation as recently as 2018, which included immediate repairs to the expansion joints, cable keep replacements, and partial scour remediation. However, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) began planning for a new bridge that same year, with the goals of improving connectivity to the interstate system and the city street network, as well as delivering a long-lasting infrastructure solution to meet current and future demands in the region.
MoDOT conducted an environmental study and online surveys, along with holding public meetings and hearings. An environmental assessment was concluded in May 2020, and the project was awarded in February 2021. After a groundbreaking ceremony in June 2021, construction began in July 2021.
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The design-build project's cost for construction, design, purchasing right of way, and moving utilities is $250 million, according to MoDOT Project Director James Pflum.
“The project is funded through a $25 million BUILD Grant and then split 50/50 between MoDOT and the City of Kansas City,” he said. “The primary contractor is Massman-Clarkson, which is a joint venture of Massman Construction Co. and Clarkson Construction Co.HNTB is the designer, and there are about 20 subcontractors being used on the job.”
In addition to the twin-span replacement bridge, the project also includes two flyover bridges to provide direct connections from I-35 to U.S. 169. Among other project components are a new bike/pedestrian lane, access improvements at the downtown airport, enhanced railings and landscaping, murals featuring Kansas City icons, and a scenic overlook with benches.
The new bridge, which utilizes both steel and concrete girders, is located to the west of the old bridge. The new structures provide approximately 58 feet of clearance for commercial barges and recreational boat traffic. The navigational channel is 425 feet wide. The twin spans are founded on drilled shafts which were constructed during marine operations by three cranes on barges. There are four bents (or piers) in the water and eight in the adjacent flood plains.
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A dock was installed on the north bank to help with transportation of materials to the job site. Final major stages of the bridge project included installation of the last drilled shafts, setting form work and rebar for columns and the bridge decks, and work in the river to reconfigure causeways as needed in preparation for the demolition of the old bridge.
Equipment utilized on the project includes Caterpillar excavators and bulldozers; a John Deere tractor and pavement breaker; Manitowoc cranes; Tadano Mantis and Grove boom cranes; Komatsu and Hitachi excavators; a Volvo sheepsfoot roller; Caterpillar skid steer loaders, drill rigs, and telehandler; and a Soilmec hydraulic rotary rig.
“We are currently over 90 percent completed with the project, and have a fall 2024 expected completion date,” Pflum said. “As the project has progressed, we have been able to hit all of our internal milestones, such as closing and reopening both directions of I-35 in the expected time frame.”
A major milestone occurred in January 2024, when the old bridge was closed following the opening of the first of the replacement spans, which then began to carry northbound U.S. 169 traffic. This traffic shift allowed crews to begin work on demolishing the existing bridge and finishing work on the second river bridge structure. Southbound traffic will remain detoured to I-29/I-35 until the project completion in December.
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The north arch of the bridge was demolished by a blast in February, and the middle arch in April. The last of the three arches was demolished in June, allowing work to proceed on the final stages of the project.
The original bridge was something of a Kansas City icon. “For 68 years, the bridge has been in use taking people across the river,” Pflum said. “It's been a big part of Kansas City for a long time.”
However, MoDOT no longer constructs triple-arch design bridges, and that design was not a practical option for the downtown location, due to restrictions on rail, waterways, and wildlife, along with the close proximity of the downtown airport. Plus, the plate girder design will require far less maintenance, and the new bridge is anticipated to last for 100 years or more.
Regarding construction challenges faced over the course of the project, Pflum said, “Changing river levels have been especially challenging. At some moments there have been historic lows and then other moments saw the highest river levels in the past five years. This project has also had a lot of tight working areas, which required lots of phased construction and planning.”
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He added that there have been some slight weather delays, especially during the winter months, but that the project has remained on time and on budget.
Although impact to the traveling public has been minimized during construction on the bridge replacement project, over its course motorists have been required to cope with frequent closures of streets and ramps on an as-needed basis. However, the most significant extended disruption of traffic over the course of the project was the closure of southbound U.S. Highway 169 from the Charles Wheeler Downtown Airport to 5th Street in downtown Kansas City. For the better part of two years, beginning in early 2023, this traffic was detoured onto southbound I-29.
Northbound I-35 from 12th Street to I-70 was closed for most of 2022. There have also been several extended ramp closures as the project headed toward it final stages. The ramp from eastbound I-70 to southbound I-35 was closed for repair and rehabilitation through the summer of 2024.
Because this corridor is a major connection for the region, Pflum pointed out that MoDOT has remained in constant contact with businesses and nearby residences about the construction and that there are fortunately multiple alternate routes in the area as well. Signed detours and extensive communication have helped drivers be aware of the work ahead of time and plan their routes accordingly.
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“MoDOT has communicated construction plans to the surrounding communities and the traveling public so motorists know what to expect, and thus impacts have been mitigated or minimalized,” Pflum said.
The new Buck O'Neil Bridge Project is set to improve system performance by providing direct connections from Interstate 35 to U.S. 169, dedicated lanes to downtown Kansas City, and access improvements at the downtown airport, as well as a new bike/pedestrian lane and other enhancements.
“The completion of this project will benefit motorists driving through the region as well as commuters and others driving on the city streets,” Pflum said. “With the realignment of the bridge to allow a direct connection of U.S. 169 and I-35, we expect to experience shorter drive times.”
Photos courtesy of the Missouri Department of Transportation
