MoDOT and Kearney Ceremonially Open Interchange

One of the final steps of the 19th Street Interchange happened on Thursday, November 2. The Missouri Department of Transportation and the City of Kearney performed a Grand Opening event to ceremonially open the overpass road connecting 19th Street and 144th Street.

Kearney Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacie Bratcher presided over the ceremony.

“Today we come together to celebrate not only the completion of a construction project, but the beginning of a new chapter in Kearney’s History,” said Bratcher. “One that promises increased accessibility, improved connectivity, and a brighter future for all of us.”

State Representatives Doug Richey and Josh Hurlbert, Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte, Clay County Commissioners JoAnn Lawson and Jason Withington, Mayor Randy Pogue, Aldermen Gerri Spencer, Dan Holt, Kathy Barger, David Lehman, the president of Clarkson Company and officials from MoDOT attended the event.

Mayor Pogue publicly thanked the citizens of Kearney, Congressman Sam Graves, and MoDOT. He also acknowledged former Mayor Bill Dane for the work he put into bringing the interchange to Kearney.

“We must say thanks and show our appreciation to our late mayor Bill Dane, and our previous staff and board members who worked hard on this from the beginning,” said Pogue. “I would have loved to see our late mayor Bill Dane and Bill Wilkerson be the first to be able to drive over this interchange, but we know that they are smiling down on us today and are really excited about the process and this accomplishment.

The project is scheduled to be officially open to the public on Monday, November 6. The new interchange crosses I-35 and includes ramps to/from I-35, bike lanes, and pedestrian facilities.

In addition, the project will feature three separate roundabouts along 19th Street located at Watson Drive, Nation Road and the future Sam Barr Drive intersection.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story