Kearney Named 2024 MML Innovation Award Winner

The city of Kearney has been named a recipient of a Missouri Municipal League Innovation Award for 2024, for the 19th Street Interchange and Complete Street Project. Winners were announced last week in conjunction with Missouri Local Government Week. These awards honor outstanding projects happening in communities across Missouri that enhance the quality of life for Missouri cities. The city of Kearney is the winner for the medium-sized cities category.

Winning projects illustrate the creativity of Missouri’s local officials and municipal employees as they serve their communities and keep Missouri cities vibrant.

The 19th Street Interchange and Complete Street Project includes the construction of a new diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 35 and 19th Street, as well as the construction of a Complete Street between Nation Road and Watson Drive. The project connects a community that was divided by the interstate and provides safer access for all. The project includes three new roundabouts located at Watson Drive, the future Sam Barr Drive connection and Nation Road working in concert to support traffic and economic activity as the area develops.

The Complete Street portion of the project includes bike lanes, shared use paths and sidewalks to promote a healthy community, improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, and provide transportation options promoting and improving the quality of life of residents and visitors.

The project team was vast and included City staff, MoDOT, adjacent property owners, the Federal Highway Administration, and other regulating agencies. The team worked together to enhance local and regional connectivity, improve safety, promote economic development and create a beautiful state-of-the-art entry to the city of Kearney.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story