Public comments are being taken on the future of the Broadway-O’Neil Bridge and I-70 North Loop, according to the Mid-America Regional Council.
Two open houses to receive public comments are planned:
• From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Mid-America Regional Council, 600 Broadway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri.
• From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at iWerx, 1520 Clay St., North Kansas City, Missouri.
Reservations for the meetings should be made online at www.beyondtheloopkc.com/event.
According to MARC, the Beyond the Loop study began in early 2017 to lay the groundwork for future improvements to the Broadway Bridge, renamed the John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge, and the north side of the downtown loop. The Broadway Bridge is also known as U.S. 169. At its south end, the bridge connects with I-70 on the north side of the downtown freeway loop, providing a critical east-west connection between downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and downtown Kansas City, Kansas.
After an initial public kickoff meeting, study partners drafted a formal statement of purpose and need, and then sought further input from the public and stakeholders on future infrastructure investments and potential design changes. Participants expressed strong support for a new bridge that would strengthen connections to downtown and nearby communities.
Since then, the team has examined a wide range of possibilities suggested by partner agencies and the public, using data analysis and modeling to determine which options are most feasible for the study area. At the upcoming open houses, study partners will present these potential options and seek further public input.
In addition to attending an open house, residents may also share their ideas and comments online at www.beyondtheloopkc.com and follow the project’s progress on Facebook and Twitter using @beyondtheloopkc.