18th Street Bridge Closing for Replacement

Published on February 24, 2025

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is moving forward with a project to replace the U.S. 69 (18^th Street) Bridge over the Kansas River. Weather permitting, the bridge will close to traffic on Saturday, March 1, at 6 AM.

The bridge has served the community for more than 65 years and is nearing the end of its service life. The full closure will remain in place for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2027.

The new 18^th Street Bridge is expected to open by Fall 2027.

During the closure, motorists should plan ahead for detours and increased travel times. Traffic will be diverted around 18^th Street between K-32 (Kansas Avenue) and Ruby Avenue using state-designated routes, including I-70, I-635, and I-35:

• Traffic will be diverted around 18^th Street between K-32 and Ruby Avenue using state routes and interstate highways, including I-70, I-635, and I-35. Northbound traffic will exit at Ruby Avenue, while southbound traffic will exit at Kansas Avenue/K-32.
• Northbound U.S. 69 (18^th Street) traffic will detour via southbound I-35 to northbound I-635, then eastbound I-70 back to U.S. 69 (18^th Street).
• Southbound U.S. 69 (18^th Street) traffic will detour via westbound I-70 to southbound I-635, then northbound I-35 back to U.S. 69 (18^th Street).

The following entrance and exit ramps will also be fully closed:

• U.S. 69 (18^th Street)/K-32 (Kansas Avenue)
• U.S. 69 (18^th Street)/Ruby Avenue

Public Transportation Impacts/ Routes

Effective Monday, March 3, the Unified Government Transportation Department will reroute the 118 18^th Street route due to the 18^th Street Bridge closure. 

The route will remain the same from 18th & Quindaro to 18^th & Bunker Ave. However, from 18th & Bunker, we will use the Kansas Turnpike (heading East) to S. 7^th Street Trafficway (heading South) to S. 21^st Street & Metropolitan Ave to get back on our original route. Track Transportation Routes 

Key Improvements
In addition to replacing the aging 18^th Street Bridge over the Kansas River and BNSF Rail Yard, KDOT will modernize and enhance the corridor within the full closure limits. Improvements include:

• Reconstructing the 18^th Street Bridge to modern design standards.
• Upgrading roadway sections north and south of the bridge.
• Rehabilitation of bridges over Ruby Avenue, Metropolitan Avenue, Osage Avenue, and the Kansas City Terminal (KCT)/Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway.

First opened in 1959, the 18^th Street Bridge is one of the few remaining deck truss bridges on the state highway system. Though significant repairs were made in 2018, a 2019 replacement study confirmed that a full bridge replacement is needed to address structural deficiencies and maintain a safe river crossing. Once complete, the new 18^th Street Bridge will feature improved safety and design standards, ensuring a more reliable corridor for drivers, pedestrians, and surrounding communities.

Hawkins Construction Company, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is the contractor for the $121.8 million project. Construction will take place during daylight hours, Monday through Friday.

Stay Informed
For more information about the 18^th Street Bridge project, construction updates, and detour routes, please visit 18thstreetbridgekck.com or call the KDOT project hotline at 1-800-555-1234.

The map below shows the project's location marked in red and detour routes marked in blue.