Kansas City’s Rock Island Bridge opening delayed again amid project complications

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The transformation of a former railroad bridge into Kansas City’s newest entertainment area is taking longer than expected.

Developers hoped to open the Rock Island Bridge this spring. Now they hope to celebrate a grand opening this fall.

The delay is due to things out of their control, according to information provided to Wyandotte County leaders during a meeting Monday night.

Members of the Wyandotte County Economic, Development & Finance Committee approved a request made by Flying Truss asking to have until March 31, 2026, to open the project.

In exchange for more time, Flying Truss agreed to cover the cost to build steps and a ramp people would need to access the bridge deck. The agreement reduced the amount of money Wyandotte County will pay in CID funding by $135,500.

There are several reasons behind the delays, and include more than just work on the bridge, according to Commissioner Tom Burroughs. He said the Army Corps of Engineers is also responsible.

“Some of the slowdown on this on this community has been the Corps work on a lot of that property. It’s put us behind a little. But it is really coming along,” Burroughs said during Monday’s meeting.

In addition to the bridge, the Unified Government is also paying to build a river overlook park near Kemper Arena. That project is expected to be completed in September. The Rock Island Bridge is expected to open after the park is completed.

“That finishes early September and their work on the bridge also finishes a couple of weeks later in September and we fully expect to be open this fall, the Rock Island Bridge,” Mike Zeller, Flying Truss, said.

When the project is completed, the Rock Island Bridge will have a restaurant, bar, and event space. It will also be a trailhead and have 16 public bathrooms.

“Year round, anybody will be able to walk across that bridge,” Zeller said.

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