Wedoany.com Report on Feb 3rd, Kansas plans to invest $135 million to replace the bridges along Central Avenue in Wyandotte County that span Interstate 70, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Kansas River. The project is expected to commence in 2028 and aims to address the aging local infrastructure.
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and the Kansas Department of Transportation jointly own the bridges along the Central Avenue corridor. Among them, the bridge spanning the Kansas River is owned by the Unified Government and was closed in the spring of 2021 due to safety and structural concerns. Meanwhile, the bridges spanning Interstate 70 and the Union Pacific Railroad are managed by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Although they remain open, they are nearing the end of their service life.
When seeking solutions, engineers at the Kansas Department of Transportation proposed including the replacement of the Kansas River bridge in the project. This approach would not only meet the community's transportation needs but also allow for the replacement of the other bridges in a more cost-effective manner, keeping the total project cost at the initial estimate of $135 million.
In a statement, Calvin Reed, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation, noted, "Including the replacement of the Kansas River bridge in the project will enable us to replace the bridges spanning Interstate 70 and the Union Pacific Railroad in a more cost-effective way, thereby keeping the total project cost consistent with the initial estimate." He added, "This is a win-win situation for Kansas. We are replacing more aging bridges and actively responding to community needs."
Governor Laura Kelly stated, "This project exemplifies the power of collaboration—looking at the bigger picture and listening to the community. Through effective problem-solving, we can meet more needs at the same level of investment." The project showcases Kansas's efforts in infrastructure renewal and is expected to bring long-term improvements to local transportation.
