KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed the northbound lanes of U.S. 169 Highway near the Kansas City Downtown Airport — Wheeler Field after discovering structural concerns with a bridge.
MoDOT Kansas City District Engineer Greg Bolon provided an update to reporters Tuesday afternoon. Watch his update in the video player below.
Bolon said MoDOT crews spotted an expansion joint on the bridge that was about an inch raised up. They made the decision to shut down the bridge as a precaution and to allow additional experts to arrive to conduct a more thorough investigation. There is no timetable for the bridge to reopen.
Bolon said the traffic impacts would be similar to when motorists needed to use the Heart of America or Bond Bridge during the construction of the Buck O'Neil Bridge.
Bolon said the bridge is nearing the end of its life and is slated for replacement next summer after the World Cup.
MoDOT says an inspection revealed "major structural issues" with the bridge, forcing the closure of the highway between the south airport entrance to south of Briarcliff Parkway.
MoDOT crews are assessing the bridge and will have further updates later Tuesday.
Both north and south airport entrances remain open.
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