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Gardner Bridge letting pushed to May 2025; council hears 18-month construction estimate
Summary
Council staff said KDOT has delayed the Gardner Bridge letting to May 2025 pending right-of-way and NEPA work; staff and council discussed an estimated 18-month construction timeline, potential aesthetic options, and efforts to minimize a full closure.
Community development staff updated the council on the Gardner Bridge project, saying Kansas Department of Transportation work on right-of-way and a renewed NEPA review have pushed the letting to May 2025.
Staff said the bridge realignment required additional property negotiations and some condemnations to secure right-of-way. "They're pushing the letting for the Gardner Bridge to May of 2025," staff said. Council members asked about construction timing and impacts; a staff member responded, "I believe it was 18 months the last I heard," when asked about construction duration.
The discussion covered options to minimize user disruption, including building the new bridge before a closure and negotiating aesthetic add-ons. Staff said some pedestrian-light and aesthetic alternatives could add to contract costs and may be bid as alternates to keep the base package under budget. Council members expressed concern about schedule slips and the potential impact on school traffic if construction begins in late summer or fall.
Staff said KDOT has borne cost increases related to the delays to date and that the city is negotiating aspects of the project and potential incentives to shorten schedules, but cautioned that aggressive changes can reduce city leverage in negotiations.
