Missouri Department of Transportation Liaison Shelie Daniel presented an update on the progress of the 19th Street Interchange Project at the October 5 Kearney Alderman meeting. Daniel reported that the project has stalled in the right of way phase, and may not move forward until spring 2021.

*Obviously we can’t move forward with the project construction when we don’t have all the ground - Mayor Randy Pogue*

“We have acquired three of the parcels, but we have five remaining parcels from three different property owners,” said Daniel. “We have extended offers for all of those properties, and all three of those property owners have secured legal counsel. We hope to negotiate with them and reach an administrative settlement.”

If MoDOT cannot reach an agreement with the owners, they will proceed with the project through the condemnation process through Clay County Circuit Court. The acquisition of the properties has a direct effect on the project schedule and is causing a delay in the process. MoDOT doesn’t advertise projects for construction until all right of way is secured.

Daniel said that moving forward with the project without the surrounding properties secured is possible, but it’s not the best course of action for this interchange project. “There are times we can try to request special clearances from federal highway to proceed with construction without right of way, but on this project the properties that we need are very critical for the next phase of work so that doesn’t make sense to proceed without the right of way acquired,” Daniel stated.

Construction on the 19th Street Interchange is delayed until MoDOT can acquire the property and give an accurate project cost and timeline of work. When right of way of the properties is secured, the next phase of the project will be utility relocation. MoDOT cannot move forward with moving utilities until all properties are secured.

Mayor Randy Pogue is disappointed with the delays, but understands the situation. “Obviously we can’t move forward with the project construction when we don’t have all the ground,” said Pogue. “We certainly don’t know the cost at this point so that’s dangerous in my opinion.”

The process for acquiring the properties, valuating the land, and going through court proceedings may push the bidding process out to May, 2021.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story