Kansas City, MO – Drivers heading north out of downtown Kansas City are facing major disruptions today after U.S. Highway 169 was abruptly closed due to safety concerns, cutting off a key commuter route into Clay County.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), northbound US-169 is fully closed over the BNSF railroad corridor, just north of downtown Kansas City and south of the Kansas City International Airport area. The closure began Monday, December 16, and remains ongoing as engineers conduct an urgent bridge evaluation.
Officials say the closure affects all northbound traffic attempting to leave downtown Kansas City toward North Kansas City, Riverside, and communities deeper into Clay County. Southbound lanes remain unaffected at this time.
MoDOT reports that traffic is being diverted to Interstate 29 and Interstate 35, which are expected to see heavier-than-normal congestion during peak commuting hours. Drivers are encouraged to plan extra travel time and avoid the area if possible.
The closure was announced publicly by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, which emphasized that US-169 can no longer be used as a northbound route out of downtown KC until further notice. No estimated reopening time has been released.
This stretch of US-169 is a critical connector between Jackson County, Clay County, and the Kansas City metro, frequently used by commuters, commercial traffic, and airport-bound drivers. MoDOT has not yet indicated whether repairs will be required or if the bridge will reopen following inspection.
Drivers can monitor updates through MoDOT traveler information systems and local law enforcement channels as the evaluation continues.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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