Major backups start early along westbound I-435 in south KC; traffic pattern changed

Major backups developed early in the morning rush hour Wednesday in the Three Trails Crossings as commuters navigated closures for urgent bridge repairs along westbound Interstate 435 in south Kansas City.

Traffic was stop-and- go along that major interchange in south Kansas City that connects Interstate 49/U.S. 71, Interstate 435 and Interstate 470.

Crews have reduced westbound I-435 to two lanes between the Three Trails Crossings, formerly known as the Grandview Triangle, and 103rd Street for a bridge expansion joint replacement project that gets underway Wednesday and is expected to take two weeks to complete, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Kansas City District.

The closure, which will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is expected to cause significant delays. Drivers are encouraged to find alternative routes or plan ahead and leave early, the transportation department said.

In addition to the closures on westbound I-435 drivers, the repairs will require the following closures:

• One lane on the ramp from southbound I-435 to westbound I-435 will be closed. One lane will remain open.

• Two lanes on the ramp from westbound I-470 to westbound I-435 will be closed. One lane will remain open.

• The ramp from southbound U.S. 71 to westbound I-435 will be closed.

MoDOT also announced these new traffic pattern changes:

• The ramp from Bannister Road to westbound I-435 will be opened.

• The ramp from northbound I-49 to westbound I-435/I-470 will be closed.

• The ramp from Red Bridge Road to I-435/I-470 will be closed.