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Independence mayor highlights $55 million bond package for bridges, roads and sidewalks
Summary
Mayor Roy Rowland said the city secured a $55 million 'Indigo' bond package to fund bridge, street and sidewalk work — beginning with the Kentucky Avenue bridge — and cited a separate $1.2 million federal contribution toward that bridge.
Mayor Roy Rowland said the city of Independence secured a $55 million bond package — which he referred to as the 'Indigo' bonds of 2025 — to pay for bridges, streets and sidewalks, with construction beginning on the Kentucky Avenue bridge.
Rowland told attendees the bond includes planned work on the Chrisler Avenue bridge and three other bridges now in active planning. He said the package also supports over 50 miles of road overlays, with $6.2 million allocated for those overlays, and that sidewalk improvements will target seven local schools.
Rowland credited U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver for securing $1.2 million toward repairs for the Kentucky Avenue bridge and asked attendees to sign thank‑you cards in the foyer. He described bonding sales tax revenue as the mechanism the city used to accelerate projects such as new fire stations and other capital work.
The mayor framed the investments as part of a broader effort to "crest the hill" on momentum built over the last decade and to make targeted improvements that improve safety and mobility. He emphasized planning is under way for phased construction but did not provide a detailed project schedule during the address.
What happens next: Rowland said construction will start with the Kentucky Avenue bridge and that additional bridge and road projects will follow. The mayor did not present formal vote tallies or ordinance numbers during the speech; funding specifics beyond the amounts announced were not provided in the address.
