This project will replace deteriorating bridges on U.S. 71 over Bannister Road (Route W). While safe to travel on, the bridges are reaching the end of their service life. 

This project will also include widening of U.S. 71 to develop an additional lane across the new bridges and to the north on U.S. 71 with the new lane ending just south of the Hickman Mills Drive interchange. The project will also improve pedestrian safety and connectivity along Bannister Rd. under U.S. 71. In addition, this project also involves the rehabilitation of culverts to the north and east of the U.S. 71 interchange.

Traffic Impacts

The project is scheduled to be let in Winter of 2025 with construction beginning in Spring of 2026 and substantially completed in Spring of 2027.

During construction of the new bridges and widening on U.S. 71, Bannister will be closed to through traffic. Entering U.S. 71 from Bannister will also be prohibited. Signed detours will be provided to direct traffic around the project. Two lanes of both northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 71 will be maintained through construction.

Construction will take place during the World Cup 2026 to minimize future traffic impacts due to the 10-month closure of I-70 in 2027 as part of the Improve I-70 KC project.