Photo looking north at the bridge from 6th Street

We’re craning our necks and minding the gap. | Photo by KCtoday

Road closures and reroutes. Colossal concrete columns. Soaring steel beams. Most of us have encountered the construction of the new Buck O’Neil Bridge first-hand, and there are a lot of feelings about it. The Missouri Department of Transportation recently announced US-169 will closed to southbound traffic between the downtown airport and 5th Street, creating a major detour.

With all this change, you’re probably wondering what’s actually happening on the ground (and in the air... and in the water)?

“We have two big goals,” MoDOT Deputy Director James Pflum said:

“Replace the Missouri River bridge that’s 60 years old, and get one in that will last 100 years.”
"[Create] direct connections between 169 and I-35.”

James confirmed the project is still on track to finish in December 2024. Crews broke ground in June 2021, and as we approach halfway this spring, let’s take a look at some major upcoming milestones.

🏗 What will happen with the Buck O’Neil Bridge in 2023?

KC_buck oniel bridge connecting ramps — You don’t want to drive on these roads yet.

“For the first half of this year, it’s going to be hanging steel,” James said.

The foundations are set in the river, and the columns are up. That means the rest of the steel girders (which were produced in KCK) need to be placed.

“This year, they’re really going to see the southbound bridge [take shape] — all the way to the Harlem Circle,” he said.

The plan is to finish the southbound bridge by the end of the year and transfer northbound traffic onto the new bridge while the northbound bridge is getting built.

With big moves come big closures. In addition to the recently announced US-169 southbound closure, James said an additional I-35 southbound closure will be announced later this year.

“We appreciate everyone driving by and seeing the work and being patient,” he said. “In two years [...] everything will be a lot better.

2022 RECAP + BUILDING 101

EVENTS

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Monday, Jan. 23

St. Michael the Archangel Blood Drive | Monday, Jan. 23 | 1-7 p.m. | 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood, KS | Free | Make a difference for a patient in need by donating blood.
Heart of Gold / The Wildfires Projekt / Rookie of the Year | Monday, Jan. 23 | 6 p.m. | recordBar, 1520 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $18-$20 | A UK synth pop artist, an indie rock group from North Carolina, and a coastal nu-punk band walk into a record bar...

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Relay For Life Kickoff | Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City, MO | Free admission | Kickoff the 2023 Relay season with guest speakers, important event information, and door prizes.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Chocolate Ale Celebration! | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Boulevard Tours & Recreation Center, 2534 Madison Ave., Kansas City, MO | $40 | Experience the world of chocolate variations + celebrate the seasonal release of the chocolate ale.
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther™ in Concert | Wednesday, Jan. 25-Saturday, Jan. 28 | 7 p.m. | Kauffman Center for Performing Arts | $37-$83 | Relive the excitement of T’Challa becoming king and battling Killmonger with the KC Symphony.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

44º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Sports

The Chiefs beat the Jaguars in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, 27-20. Kansas City will become the first team in NFL history to host five consecutive AFC Championship games — facing the Bengals at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29 (a rematch from last year). 🏈

Development

An entertainment company plans to bring shuffleboard, pool tables, and an arcade to Kansas City. Larks Entertainment hopes to open the family-friendly concept — complete with a kitchen and bar — at 11th Street and Walnut Street by the end of summer. (CityScene KC)

Transit

Thanks to you night owls, the KC Streetcar is extending its Sunday-Thursday service an hour later. Streetcars will now run until midnight on weeknights (Friday and Saturday remain 1 a.m.). The decision is the result of increased demand. 🚊

Arts

Calling local Picassos. Art Garden KC is looking for design submissions for its 2023 T-shirt. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Feb. 10. The winner will be announced Tuesday, Feb. 14. 🎨

Concert

Country music star Zach Bryan is coming to the T-Mobile Center Wednesday, Aug. 30. Bryan’s major-label debut album “American Heartbreak” entered the US Billboard 200 at No. 5. Register to get tickets to the “The Burn, Burn, Burn Tour” now through Sunday, Jan. 29. 🔥
Prepare to headbang. Illenium is coming to Azura Amphitheater Thursday, June 8. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m.

Job

Today is one of four job fairs to fill 800 positions at the new KCI terminal. The event is from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Kansas City Aviation Department — 601 Brasilia Ave., KCMO. The positions are retail, food, and beverage jobs offering up to $20 per hour and benefits like dental. (Kansas City Star)

Correction

Last week we told you about a new Southwest connection from KC to Long Beach — but we need to clear the air. The connection will go from our brand new terminal to Long Beach, California. Happy travels.

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going...Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. Hurry — this offer ends tomorrow, Jan. 24. ✈️*

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BIZ

Have you hear(b) the news? 🍵

“We blend and formulate all of our own teas,” wholesaler Kyle Hansen said. | Photo by KCtoday

Here’s the tea. Savoy Tea Co. is officially open in the Crossroads — at 2108 Wyandotte St. The Fayetteville, Arkansas-based company already has a location in Lenexa.

“We always just loved the KC area,” Savoy wholesaler Kyle Hansen told us. “We’re really excited to be here [...] We’ve made a lot of friends in the community that are wholesale partners.”

Savoy offers 140+ loose leaf teas sourced from around the world (China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, South Africa, and Argentina).

🫖 Other tea shops downtown

Shang Tea Co., 2450 Grand Blvd., KCMO | Pair your Crown Center cup with dumplings or a rice bowl.

Herban Tea and Coffee Bar, 1814 Oak St., KCMO | Try some tea blends or an herbal latte.

Fat Bee Cafe, 1111 Main St., KCMO | This Vietnamese artisan boba cafe originated in Overland Park.

Dragonfly Tea Zone, 409 Main St., KCMO | For bubble tea slurpers and Asian snack eaters.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Travis.

Editor’s pick: Restaurant week may be over, but you can still dig into some incredible local eateries. One of my favorite pieces by my co-editor Bella is this list of oldest operating restaurants in Kansas City. Take a bite.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’ve expanded our list of metro speakeasy bars.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Amanda Munsey | Advertise with us.

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