Northeast Ruse

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Officials with the city’s Department of Highways announced today that the Cliff Drive Scenic Byway could soon be carrying heavy truck traffic if a proposal put forward by the Container Truck Shipping Association (CTSA) passes muster.

Taking heavy truck traffic off Independence Avenue and the quickly decaying roadbed of Front Street are cited as the driving force behind the proposal.

“With the recent, permanent closure of U.S. Hwy. 24 and the current condition of Front Street, this should really alleviate a good percentage of container truck traffic from those two rights-of-way,” Kuehne Svensen, Executive Director for CTSA, said. “The drive’s heavy tree cover should absorb the dust our trucks kick up as well.”

Under the proposal, Cliff Drive will be expanded to four lane and will extend from roughly Third Street under I-35 East, connecting with I-435 near KCP&L’s Hawthorne plant at 8700 E. Front Street. Additionally, a three way intersection will be added with a four lane “ramp,” descending into the East Bottoms, where a majority of the container truck terminals operate.

“We’re extremely excited,” Svensen continued. “This should really improve access for our drivers.”

Construction is expected to begin by mid-May.