Dozens of Gardner residents showed up last week to a Kansas Department of Transportation open house about the long-anticipated $26 million Gardner Road bridge replacement, which started earlier this month.

The decades-old bridge crosses Interstate 35 and is rife with issues, residents said at the open house — it’s too narrow, wasn’t built to sustain usage by semi-trucks and, in March, a four-foot-wide hole opened up on the overpass.

“I’m glad it’s finally being done,” said lifelong Gardner resident Jennifer Smith. “In the ‘70s, when it was Nike (Elementary School traffic) and farm equipment going over that, it wasn’t a big deal.”

Crews made the necessary repairs to help the old bridge last through the construction of the new one, said Delaney Tholen, KDOT’s Kansas City metro Public Information Officer.

The configuration for the new bridge retains the diamond interchange design but makes the road wider, adds turn lanes, an additional southbound ramp lane and pedestrian access.

“The existing bridge will remain in service until the new bridge is complete,” Tholen said. “Drivers will see some significant changes year-to-year.”

Construction is expected to last through November 2027, completed in three phases. Road closures are set to change with each phase.

A closer look at the project’s timeline

The project will be broken up into three phases over the next two years.

Phase 1, which started earlier this month, includes:

• Starting construction on the new bridge.
• Realigning 191st Street and connecting with a new road, 193rd Street.
• Removing a short portion of 191st Street, just southeast of I-35.
• Weekend closures in early 2026 of Gardner Road and I-35 ramps.
• A short-term closure of 191st Street.

Phase 2, slated for 2026, includes:

• Continuing bridge construction, expanding toward Gardner Road.
• Removal of the stretch of 191st Street closest to Gardner Road.
• Closing the eastern I-35 ramps and building new ones, with a detour along U.S. Route 56 and Center Street.

Phase 3, set for 2027, includes:

• Completing construction of Gardner Road and the western I-35 ramps.
• Extending 193rd Street across Gardner Road.
• While under construction, western ramps are set to detour along U.S. Route-56 and Center Street.
• Gardner Road through traffic and southern access to I-35 will be restricted for a period of time during construction.
• Once construction on the new bridge is complete, Gardner Road will close shortly for the old bridge’s demolition.

Last week’s open house was the only one scheduled

More than 60 people attended the first hour of KDOT’s open house, though materials are available online for residents unable to make the Sept. 25 event. No additional open houses are planned.

“Almost anything would be an improvement,” said Gardner resident Gary Williams, calling the project overdue. “Bigger is always better in bridges. The state, obviously, knows what they’re doing. Progress is always painfully slow. There will be, no doubt, a lot of traffic jams and a lot of issues that always go with improvements. It’s the price you pay for progress.”

“I’m looking forward to a new bridge,” he added.

As construction progresses, Tholen said road safety is crucial for workers and drivers.

“Be mindful of workers and equipment in the work zone,” Tholen said. “Follow the posted speed limit, buckle up and put your phones down.”