Port KC Gets $72M to Eliminate Lydia Ave Crossings
A federal grant will fund a flyover bridge replacing three at-grade rail crossings on Lydia Avenue in Kansas City.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Transportation
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The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration has awarded up to $72 million to Port KC to eliminate three at-grade rail crossings at Lydia Avenue. The grant will pay to buy land, finish blueprints, and build a flyover bridge over the train tracks.
Why it matters
Ground-level crossings with gates stop traffic each time a train passes, causing long waits and dangerous crossings for drivers and pedestrians in Kansas City. The bridge is designed to end those delays and improve the movement of freight through the city.
The Federal Railroad Administration award of up to $72 million requires Port KC to cover 20% of the project's cost, per the grant terms. The construction start date remains undetermined, though planning and design work are set to begin immediately.
The players
Port KC
Port KC is the Kansas City port authority responsible for paying 20% of the project and managing the Lydia Avenue crossing elimination.
Federal Railroad Administration
The Federal Railroad Administration is the U.S. Department of Transportation agency that awarded the grant funding the project.
The details
The flyover bridge will link Columbus Park directly to the Berkley Riverfront, the KC Streetcar extension, new apartments, and CPKC Stadium, and will include safe walking paths for vehicles and pedestrians.
Timeline
Nov. 5, 2026: Federal award announced by local officials.
Planning and design work are set to begin immediately.
Transportation Infrastructure
The Lydia Avenue project follows the federal grade-separation funding model used to eliminate at-grade rail crossings in urban corridors, with local port authorities covering a share of costs. It positions Kansas City's freight and transit network within that same federal framework.
Drivers and pedestrians near Lydia Avenue would no longer face long waits at ground-level crossings once the bridge is built. The project's construction timeline has not been set, so the change will not arrive immediately.
The takeaway
A federal grant is funding a Kansas City bridge that will replace three rail crossings, but no construction date has been set yet. Residents near Lydia Avenue should watch for updates as design work begins.
Further reading
Explore more on Transportation coverage for Kansas City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kctv5.
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