Davids Celebrates Federal Investment for Bridge Replacement Project

Published on August 05, 2024

Original Press Release: August 6, 2024
Release Source:  Davids Celebrates Federal Investment for Bridge Replacement Project Between Kansas, Missouri | Representative Sharice Davids (house.gov)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited the Kansas Avenue Bridge replacement project to celebrate her and Representative Jake LaTurner’s (R-KS-02) successful funding request to help replace a bridge that connects Kansas to Missouri and supports 8,000 trips daily.

The bridge, which will benefit from $3.5 million in federal support, is part of 15 Davids-secured projects awarded $15.8 million in fiscal year 2024 to purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize roads and bridges, improve water access during extreme weather, and more. Additional information on each project can be found here.

"On behalf of the Unified Government, I want to thank Representative Sharice Davids for securing the vital investments needed for the Kansas Avenue Bridge reconstruction," said Tyrone Garner, Mayor, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City. "Reopening this bridge will greatly enhance connectivity and safety for Wyandotte County and the broader metropolitan area. The bipartisan efforts of Representative Davids and Congressman LaTurner are making a meaningful, lasting impact on our community."

“This project to replace the Kansas Avenue Bridge marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in our region, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for folks living in both Kansas and Missouri,” said Davids. “I’m grateful to have worked with Representative LaTurner and our local officials to request targeted investments in our infrastructure that make our communities safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle expected growth and future tourism."

Davids successful project request for the KC Connect Bistate River Bridge will reconnect the Kansas and Missouri using modern streetscapes with improved pedestrian, bicycle, and ADA accommodations. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City will use the funding to update the bridge, so it meets Complete Streets standards, which are streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users.

“Kansans rely on infrastructure like the Kansas Avenue Bridge every day.” said Calvin Reed, Kansas Secretary of Transportation. “KDOT welcomes the opportunity to work with federal and local partners so future generations of Kansans benefit from a well-functioning transportation system.”

Each of the 15 Davids-requested projects were submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, bring economic opportunity to the Third District, and tackle climate change. Appropriations requests are subject to strict transparency and accountability rules, which can be found here.