KSHB 41 Traffic anchor/reporter Daniela Leon covers all sorts of transportation topics across Kansas City. Have a story idea to share or a question about something in your neighborhood? Send Daniela a news tip.
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Earlier this month, a viewer reached out to me asking about a bridge project impacting Missouri Highway 350 and Noland Road.
I understand they are closing to remove a bridge, but not sure what bridge it is. Is it the old railroad bridge? I believe that is part of the Rock Island Trail that runs through Raytown and Lee’s Summit and other areas of Jackson County.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is planning bridge replacement, pavement resurfacing, and adding new turn lanes at the intersection.
Earlier this month, MoDOT cleared the way to demolish the current bridge, which will be replaced with a wider railroad bridge over the highway.
The new bridge, according to MoDOT, will still serve as a trail bridge and part of the Rock Island Trail.
"It's going to carry the trail that's on top up there, and it's going to be much wider, so we can add a turn lane underneath, and wider lanes on Highway 350," MoDOT Assistant District Engineer Jeff Hardy told me.
Hardy says the main work will be completed during the winter months to minimize the impact to trail users.
"It does cost a little bit more to do that, because we have to heat the concrete in the winter, when we place it, but (we're) trying to get the trail open before the main usage in the springtime," he said.
You may be wondering, didn’t we do this already?
Not quite. Kansas City, Missouri, led a water main and line project in this exact same area between 2023 and 2024; a project separate from MoDOT's current work.
The new bridge is expected to be completed by April, but the entire project will be completed by October 2026.
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