Central Avenue Bridge, 18th Street Expressway bridge included in report
Today, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., released a new report examining the status and safety of bridges in the 3rd District of Kansas, the first installment in her office’s “State of our Systems” series.
The series will detail the most pressing infrastructure needs in the district and how Rep. Davids is working to bring federal funds to those projects, starting with bridges. Key findings include:
• 6 of the top 10 most-travelled structurally deficient bridges in Kansas are in the 3rd District.
• Repairs are needed on 732 bridges in Kansas’ 3rd District, which will cost an estimated $1.4 billion.
• Each day, over 16 million bridge crossings happen in the 3rd District. 13 million of those are on bridges that have suggested repair work.
• The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which Rep. Davids supports, would create the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate Highway System.
Closed Central Avenue Bridge included in report
Davids announced findings on the Central Avenue Bridge, a 103-year-old bridge that is highlighted in the report due to its forced closure earlier this year after officials reported a “fear of failure.”
Kansas Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Lindsey Douglas and Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor David Alvey joined Davids to emphasize the importance of investing in these vital arteries.
The speakers added their voices to over a dozen Kansas City-area leaders in calling for the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which would bring an estimated $225 million to Kansas for bridge replacement and repairs as well as establishing a $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program.
The 18th Street Expressway bridge also is mentioned in the report, which stated that repair options for it are so expensive that replacement is now being considered.
‘These investments can’t wait’
“13 million times a day, people in our community use bridges that need to be repaired. That’s 13 million daily reminders that these investments can’t wait, and it’s why I’m proud to support policies that bring federal funding to much-needed projects here at home,” Rep. Davids said.
“Bridges are more than just concrete and steel—they connect people, resources, and opportunities. This new report makes clear that we need to be investing in these vital structures, so we can continue to foster critical connections,” said Kansas Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Lindsey Douglas. “That’s why it’s important that we have leaders at the local, state, and federal level who recognize that infrastructure can boost quality of life for every Kansan. I’m glad to join those leaders today.”
“Today’s report from Rep. David’s office further reinforces the need for additional investment in local infrastructure, particularly in our bridges and roads, not only in our community but throughout the entire region,” said Mayor David Alvey of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.
The full “State of our Systems: Bridges” report can be accessed at https://davids.house.gov/sites/davids.house.gov/files/The%20State%20of%20our%20Systems%20Bridges_October%202021_compressed%20%282%29.pdf
- Information from Rep. Davids’ office