JOHN J. “BUCK” O’NEIL MEMORIAL BRIDGE

Kansas City, Missouri

The original Broadway Bridge, constructed in 1956, was a north-south, triple-arch steel truss structure that carried U.S. 169 Highway over the Missouri River into downtown Kansas City. U.S. 169 serves as a primary link to downtown Kansas City between communities north and south of the Missouri River with approximately 50,000 vehicles crossing the bridge daily. With four narrow, shoulderless lanes — two in each direction — the bridge was nearing the end of its projected lifespan; its age and condition created an ongoing need for maintenance and repairs.

Recognizing the structure’s obsolescence and growing safety risks, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, prioritized the Broadway Bridge (later named after baseball great John “Buck” O’Neil) replacement. In 2021, MoDOT selected the design-build team of HNTB as lead designer and a joint venture of Massman Construction and Clarkson Construction to deliver a modern, multimodal solution. Working amid a busy airport, the nation’s second-largest railroad hub, maritime traffic, and daily commuters, the design-build team delivered a new structure in just three years.

The transformative 3-mile project opened on time and on budget in December 2024. The new crossing features parallel northbound and southbound plate girder bridges that enhance mobility, improve safety, and reflect Kansas City’s civic pride.

Designed for a 100-year service life, this award-winning project provides a seamless connection to I-35, relieves pressure on downtown surface streets, improves access to Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, and adds barrier-separated accommodations for pedestrians and cyclists. It also proudly honors the legacy of Kansas City legend and baseball great John J. “Buck” O’Neil.