KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Motorists driving northbound Interstate 29/35 past Front Street will shift to temporary and permanent ramps starting Friday, November 6. This switch will complete the traffic phase for Front Street at this time. Southbound traffic was shifted on October 27. The speed limit is as low as 35 mph through the narrow lanes. This traffic configuration will remain in place for approximately one year. Click here to view enhanced aerial view of the Front Street ramps and planned construction.

kcICON Project officials are asking motorists to take alternate routes and consider other modes of transportation if possible, as the mainline interstate traffic speed limit change may slow down commute times. "Construction on the new single point urban interchange will begin in the middle of the interstate at Front St.," said kcICON Project Director Brian Kidwell. "There will be intermittent lane drops to move equipment and materials in and out of the area. We strongly urge motorists take an alternate river crossing to avoid additional delays."

This traffic switch may make motorists feel like they are taking an exit ramp off the interstate, only to curve back on the interstate near Front Street. This shift will enable work to begin on the Interstate 29/35 bridge over Front Street, and the new Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI). This is one of two SPUIs the Missouri Department of Transportation is now constructing in the Kansas City metro area.

A SPUI is designed to reduce the number of spots where vehicles could collide, and improve mobility. It also requires less land to construct. To see how the new SPUI will operate visit http://www.youtube.com/ and search "kcICON SPUI" to view the video.

All construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change. Updated lane closure information for the kcICON Project can be found on the project's Web site at http://www.kcicon.com/ or by calling the information hotline at 816-841-8888.