Port KC moves forward on rail flyover for Riverfront
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A tour of the possible area for the flyover. Photo: Port KC
A new flyover could finally bridge a dangerous rail crossing dividing Berkley Riverfront and Columbus Park. A federal grant will help design work proceed.
Why it matters: The Lydia Avenue crossing, which spans four rail lines with no sidewalks or protective barriers, is one of the last big impediments to safe, walkable access at the Riverfront.
- It can be blocked for up to 40 minutes, and people have been seen climbing between stopped train cars to get through, according to Port KC's Riverfront Connectivity Study.
The big picture: A $2.5 million federal grant awarded this month will cover 30% of the design phase, including environmental studies and early engineering work. It won't pay for construction but is a critical step toward building a safe, permanent overpass.
- Port KC aims to complete this phase by the end of 2026.
- Construction could begin in about four years, pending additional funding.
What they're saying: "The 30% should give us a target cost," Meredith Hoenes, director of communications at Port KC, told Axios. "Then we'd need funding for 60% design, and then construction. That's a world-perfect scenario."
- The design phase will determine a preliminary cost estimate for the project, based on factors like grading, materials and property needs.
- If Port KC acquires more funding later, engineers will draw up detailed blueprints and figure out the final cost before anything gets built.
Between the lines: The project would create a multimodal overpass to ease traffic, boost safety and connect a booming part of the city to nearby neighborhoods.
- "This is where we get our first look at the design, the materials and, at this moment in economic time, a potential cost," Hoenes said of the design phase.
How it works: Burns & McDonnell is leading design and environmental review that's based on a 2022 study funded by MARC. Community feedback has already shaped priorities, like reducing truck traffic and adding trail access.
- Although a pedestrian bridge is already in the works at the Grand Viaduct on the western edge of the Riverfront, Hoenes said, residents have asked for a second, more central connection from the east side.
What's next: Port KC will explore additional funding sources, including applying again to the Railroad Crossing Elimination program, which awarded this first grant.
The bottom line: If built, the Lydia flyover will remove a longstanding mobility bottleneck, as the area undergoes major changes, including the streetcar extension, new housing, and traffic generated by the CPKC Stadium.