A bridge over Brush Creek will lead pedestrians to MLK Park
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Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri) and the future bridge. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Officials on Wednesday broke ground on a pedestrian bridge project that will connect residents north of Brush Creek to Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Why it matters: The park is on the south side of Brush Creek, and the only way to get there is by car or using sidewalks along busy and dangerous roadways.
- The bridge will create a direct route accessible only to pedestrians.
- Parks and Recreation deputy director James Wong tells Axios they will also install a pedestrian crossing on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard.
Context: The construction is at least five years in the making, after the park opened in 2021 and public conversations for the bridge began.
Zoom in: The bridge's path will be clear, per the Parks department, and will include new trail connections, improved lighting, and imagery depicting Martin Luther King Jr.
Follow the money: The bridge will cost roughly $4.6 million.
- Funds come from a $2.8 million federal grant via the Missouri Department of Transportation and local public improvement funds for the 3rd and 5th districts — which share a border along Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard.
What they're saying: "This bridge will allow seniors, it will allow children and the residents of affordable housing to make it across Brush Creek, and then go and enjoy this wonderful park," Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) said at the ceremony Wednesday.
What's next: Leaders hope to complete the bridge next year.