Progress Continues on U.S. 71 & Bannister Road Bridge Improvements
July 11, 2026
Another bridge milestone is complete on the Improve I-70 Kansas City project following the successful installation of 15 steel girders for the new Cleveland Avenue bridge over I-70.
The Clarkson-Radmacher Joint Venture team completed the work during a planned weekend closure of I-70, allowing crews to safely perform the major lifts without traffic traveling beneath the work area.
The 15 steel girders ranged from approximately 90 to 135 feet in length and weighed between 40,000 and 62,000 pounds each. Setting structures of this size requires extensive planning and coordination among crane operators, ironworkers, field supervision, traffic control teams, safety professionals, and numerous project partners.
Crews worked throughout the weekend to safely and efficiently set the steel and complete the work necessary to reopen the interstate. Thanks to careful planning and strong execution, I-70 reopned to traffic ahead of schedule.
The new Cleveland Avenue bridge is one of numerous bridge improvements included in the Improve I-70 Kansas City project, which is reconstructing and improving the I-70 corridor between The Paseo and U.S. 40/31st Street east of downtown Kansas City.
