A $245 million cake to nowhere

What would a major project kick-off be without elaborate speeches, political backslapping and golden shovels? Well, just another project kick-off.

But the Missouri Department of Transportation and KcIcon group decided it needed to up the ante and offer its guests a behemoth of a cake that resembles the bridge that will span the Missouri River in a couple of years.

No word on how many traffic delays were caused in the construction of this cake or what percentage of the project's budget was used on this cake-related endeavor. Our reporter did not even stick around in the freezing rain to find out if it was chocolate or white construction materials under that smooth icing asphalt.

Even in cake form, there were no bike lanes included.

Paseo Bridge construction to start in two weeks

Officials today from kcICON and the Missouri Deaprtment of Transportation announced that construction on the new Christopher S. Bond bridge will begin on Monday April 21.

So far, officials said, work has been mostly of a research nature as crews look for utilities and do soil samples.

Starting next week as work officials begins, drivers will notice several exits and highway on/off ramps will be closed — including the Interstate 70 westbound on ramp in Columbus Park off Independence Ave.

Traffic will also be reduced to one lane during off-peak hours on the bridge. Motorists who use the bridge and surrounding exits are encouraged to find an alternate route.

Officials are planning a ground breaking ceremony on April 18. For more information on the project check The Northeast News on Wednesday or go to kcICON's Web site at www.kcicon.com