Berkley Riverfront, Kansas City, MO. –
The Federal Railroad Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant not to exceed $2.5 million to Port KC. Its goal is to improve public safety, reduce traffic delays, and enhance mobility by eliminating three high-risk at-grade railroad crossings in the Berkley Riverfront.
The funding, provided through the Federal Railroad Administration’s RCE Program, will support the 30% design of a multimodal flyover overpass at the Lydia railroad crossings just south of Berkley Parkway and west of I-29. This crossing has long posed safety concerns for motorists, emergency responders, and pedestrians. The opening of CPKC Stadium amplified the safety and timing situation and more growth is coming.
Berkley Riverfront will more than double in residents, visitors, apartments, businesses and more in the next 10 years. While the Kansas City Streetcar and bicycle/pedestrian bridge will both be operational in 2026, the last remaining mobility issue exists in the southeast corner of Berkley Riverfront. The Lydia railroad crossings consist of three rail lines with no sidewalks or safety measures in place.
“We are thrilled to accept this grant from the federal government,” said Jon Stephens, CEO of Port KC. “This project has been a top priority for our team. We hope this 30% completion goal will move us one step closer to a safe and more efficient option for modes of transportation.”
The selected site currently experiences train crossings 24 hours a day and can delay travelers up to 40 minutes or more. When stopped, people often climb between the railcars. The project will remove this bottleneck, improve emergency response times, eliminate the hazard and support economic development in the surrounding area.
Completion of the 30% design is expected in 2026. Port KC will continue its work with Burns & McDonnell during this design phase.
“This effort will generate the environmental study and preliminary design of a multimodal flyover at the Lydia railroad crossings—an area that faces daily vehicular delays and limited bicycle/pedestrian access. With continued growth at the Riverfront, including the CPKC Stadium and new transit connections coming in 2026, solving this mobility challenge is critical,” said Maggie Green, Project Communications Lead. “This is a complex project, and we’re ready for it. We bring the right experience, relationships and commitment to the table to help make this vision a reality.”
Port KC utilized a grant from MARC, the Mid-America Regional Council, to hire Burns & McDonnell to perform a connectivity study of the area in 2022. The study found solutions and strategies that not only address the railroad problem but also work with the wishes of the neighboring communities. You can read more about those study results here: Riverfront-Connectivity-Plan_Final_August2024.pdf
Public open house, February 2024
Walking tour in Columbus Park in June 2023
About the RCE Program
Established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program provides funding for projects that eliminate at-grade railroad crossings to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and improve the quality of life for communities.
Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program | FRA
To learn more about the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Railroad Administration.
About Burns & McDonnell
Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies — driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists — delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Burns & McDonnell is proud to help deliver safer, smarter infrastructure for Kansas City.
Port KC is a port authority for the state of Missouri that uses its status to also grow Kansas City’s economy through advancing transportation, logistics, and revitalization. (portkc.com)