U.S. 169 enters the state of Missouri alongside I-70/U.S. 24-40 from Kansas City, Kansas. The highway parts ways with the freeway as I-70 combines with Interstate 35 along the north leg of the Alphabet Loop by Downtown Kansas City. U.S. 169 spans the Missouri River from there across the Broadway Bridge to North Kansas City.
Continuing north back into Kansas City, U.S. 169 transitions from an expressway to a freeway. The suburban freeway leads north by Gladstone to Nashua in the Northland of Kansas City. U.S. 169 transitions into an at-grade divided highway from there through Smithville and a rural route between Smithville and St. Joseph.
U.S. 169 loops west from Interstate 29, partially alongside Business Loop I-29, through St. Joseph before turning east again to Dekalb County. The remainder of the route travels through small towns or across agricultural areas, including a 7.54 mile overlap with U.S. 136 through Gentry County. The 126.91 mile route through Missouri concludes at the Iowa state line north of Grant City.
U.S. 169 Missouri Guides
Construction got underway in July 2021 to replace John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil Memorial Bridge, which was nearing the end of its projected lifespan. Costing $220 million, the project to build a new plate girder span for U.S. 169 runs to an anticipated completion of December 2024. The Central Alternative was selected, which includes flyover ramps connecting to Interstate 35 along the West Loop, and elevated ramps to Broadway Boulevard at W 5th Street adjacent to I-35/70 on the North Loop.
 scenes |
 | Englewood Road east at U.S. 169 (Arrowhead Trafficway) in Kansas City. 10/17/04 |
- Broadway Bridge. Bridgehunter.com.
Photo Credits:
10/17/04 by AARoads
Connect with:
Interstate 29
Interstate 35
Interstate 70
Interstate 435
Route 9
Route 152
Page Updated 10-19-2021.