Northeast News
March 9, 2016

KANSAS CITY – Commuters should expect delays and detours along Hwy. 24 beginning Monday.

Bridge joint replacement will close Hwy. 24 west of I-435 beginning Monday, March 14, for approximately 40 days, reopening the road by the end of April. All work is weather dependent. A signed detour will send traffic around the bridge closure using Hardesty Avenue, Truman Road and I-435. Drivers should allow extra time to reach their destination safely.

This is all part of a bigger project that will detour commuters until October. Shoulder work will close a lane of north and southbound I-435 between 23rd and Front Streets beginning 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, through 5 a.m. Monday, March 14, and again from 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, through 5 a.m. Monday, March 21. All work is weather dependent.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, this shoulder work is in preparation for the rehabilitation of 10 bridges along north and southbound I-435 between 23rd and Front Streets, beginning late March. The work zone will reduce I-435 from three to two, 11-foot lanes, and traffic delays are expected for the more than 75,000 drivers using this stretch of interstate daily, especially during peak times. All bridge rehab work is weather dependent and will wrap up by mid-October.

The bridge work is broken down into two phases. Phase one begins on four bridges along southbound I-435, closing the right lane in late March immediately following the shoulder prep work. Once work on this section is complete, traffic will shift to the right lane and shoulder to allow crews to complete the bridges. Once the southbound bridges are finished, all lanes of southbound I-435 will reopen to traffic in mid-June.

Phase two begins on the northbound lanes of I-435 following the southbound work in June for the six remaining bridges. This will reduce northbound I-435 to two lanes. All northbound lanes are expected to reopen by the end of August. Work includes bridge deck replacement on the Route 24 Bridge, bridge joint replacements, and deck repairs. Once the bridge rehab work is finished, crews will resurface the road during overnight hours.

“Rehabilitation is required to provide a smoother, safer drive for motorists, while prolonging the life of the bridges and avoiding future costly repairs or replacements,” Jon Voss, MoDOT Resident Engineer, said.

This project is packaged to complete all 10 bridges during one construction season, limiting the number of closures for individual bridge work and resurfacing, reducing the impact to drivers. Motorists are advised to follow the posted, reduced speed limit of 55 mph and drive safely through the work zone. MoDOT reminds motorists to not drive distracted and watch for workers on the road. Law enforcement will be monitoring these work zones to ensure motorist and worker safety.

Motorists are also encouraged to seek an alternate route using Route 291 or I-29/35 to avoid traffic delays. If possible, avoid the work zone during peak rush hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. by flexing work schedules and during major events in the area. For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit www.modot.mo.gov/kansascity.