Buck O’Neil Memorial Bridge

The Buck O’Neil Memorial Bridge, spanning the Missouri River, serves as a regional connection between downtown Kansas City and the communities north of the river. The original bridge was designed by HNTB and opened in 1956. The bridge carries over 50,000 vehicles daily, and after reaching the end of its useful life, it required a modern replacement.

The design-build project, delivered through a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, replaced the triple-arch steel-truss bridge with modern, twin-plate girder structures. The new bridge ensures long-term safety, mobility and enhanced functionality for commuters with a 100-year service life.

Elevated Mobility and Accessibility

Along with a new river bridge, the project also provides a brand new connection from I-35 across the Missouri River.  This connection will reduce drivers commute time in the peak hour by over 5 minutes.  Key improvements include:

• Streamlined traffic flow with new direct connection to I-35
• Improved access to the Kansas City Downtown Airport and nearby business parks
• Dedicated bike and pedestrian pathways
• LED lighting and a midspan scenic overlook

Resilient Design and Collaborative Success

HNTB provided design services for the Buck O’Neil Memorial Bridge that ensured successful delivery within budget and on schedule, including:

• Roadway, bridge, drainage, retaining wall and urban design
• Lighting, signals and signage development
• Geotechnical and hydraulic engineering
• Environmental compliance and maintenance of traffic plans

Constructed on time with minimal disruption to surrounding areas, the project highlights the power of a well-coordinated design-build approach. HNTB worked closely with MoDOT, many different railroad owners and utility providers to deliver a modern bridge that strengthens regional connectivity and supports future growth.