KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Major changes are on the way for Front Street in Northeast Kansas City as city leaders have officially broken ground on a long-planned corridor overhaul designed to boost safety and economic vitality in the area.

Construction work is already underway, with the south lanes of Front Street now closed between Chouteau Trafficway and North Topping Avenue for the next six months. The city said drivers should expect some traffic delays and are encouraged to use posted detour routes while crews make progress on the improvements.

The comprehensive project includes rebuilding the road surface, installing new curbs, sidewalks, driveway aprons, medians, storm sewers, a new water main, and significant upgrades to manage stormwater more effectively. New streetlights and traffic signals will also be installed to modernize the corridor and enhance safety for drivers, pedestrians, and businesses operating in the area.

Councilman Crispin Rea said the effort is an overdue investment to help revitalize one of the city’s key economic corridors.

“Oftentimes our industrial areas are overlooked; however, this major investment is going to ensure that this economic corridor continues to be not only a safe place for the individuals who are participating in all of this economic activity, but that will hopefully also allow us to attract more jobs and even more economic activity to the city,” Rea said during the ceremonial groundbreaking.

The city secured $7 million in Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds to help cover construction costs. Local funding sources, including the GO Bond and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), will round out the project’s budget.

With through-traffic to be maintained during the work, city officials warn that drivers should plan for extra travel time through the zone as construction progresses.

City planners expect the newly rebuilt Front Street to better serve the region’s industrial base, provide safer and smoother access for workers and businesses, and help attract future economic development along the corridor.

If all goes as planned, the Front Street reconstruction is slated for completion by September 2026 — paving the way for improved infrastructure and long-term economic growth in Northeast Kansas City.

For additional updates and detour information, residents can visit the Front Street Reconstruction Project webpage on the city’s official site.

Originally reported by Kaitlyn Schwers in Fox 4 News.