Rock Island Bridge destination connecting KCK to the West Bottoms derailed until 2025

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Rock Island Bridge, the century-old locomotive bridge being rehabbed as an over-the-water entertainment destination, will not be ready until next year, the developer of the Kansas City, Kansas, project announced Friday.

Spring 2025 is the updated target for the $15 million project’s grand opening, a year after developers had first said the bridge would open and at $10 million above the initial budget.

Mike Zeller, chief executive officer of developer Flying Truss, said the project is “on the 20-yard line” and the additional time will “ensure everything is running smoothly for our guests” when complete.

“Going first is rarely simple or straightforward,” Zeller, who has called the bridge project a first-of-its-kind transformation of unused public infrastructure, said in a statement, adding: “This is a barn-raising effort to create something first here in Kansas City, with people from across the community pulling together to get it done.”

The project on the long-abandoned bridge is the result of a partnership between private investors and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Envisioned for the rusty relic, built in 1905 and decommissioned in the 1970s, is a new amenity that will function in part as a public park and also host bars, restaurants and event space.

When finished, the bridge will suspend two stories of seating, restrooms, bars and businesses above the Kansas River. City officials hope the bridge will spur greater development along the riverfront and reconnect KCK with Kansas City’s West Bottoms, which is also seeing new investment.

Developers planned to welcome guests as early as this spring, beginning with a soft opening. The launch was pushed back to summer and then again, earlier this month, to fall.

An autumn opening would have been short-lived, as the bridge is to operate only 10 months out of the year, closing temporarily in January and February. The decision to delay the open until next year will avoid that “back-and-forth scenario,” Zeller said.

Construction delays are in part responsible for the off-track timeline, according to developers. Complications have included issues with the connection points at area walking trails and the delivery of plumbing.

Initially believed to need mostly cosmetic repairs, based on an engineering analysis, the project has also met some unexpected costs. Strengthening of the bridge requested by the Unified Government, for example, tacked on roughly $500,000 extra.

The earliest revamp was projected to cost $5 million, and the price tag has since risen to roughly $15 million.

Public financing has played a role in the redevelopment. Roughly $1.5 million has come through state grants, and another $2.5 million came from a Unified Government grant to be repaid by abated property taxes and collected sales taxes. Commissioners last month approved the creation of a 2% special sales tax for the bridge.

While the grand opening is delayed, the developer says Kansas Citians eager to see the progress will be able to take guided tours in the meantime. Tour dates are to be advertised on the website rockislandkc.com.