Bly Road closure near Independence data center leaves residents fearing winter travel hazards
Residents near a data center under construction in Independence are concerned that Bly Road will remain closed through the winter, creating dangerous travel conditions and limiting access. NorthPoint Development and the city say they are working to complete the road and reopen it as soon as possible.
Residents near Bly Road in Independence, Missouri, say the road closure near a data center construction project is creating access problems and safety concerns, particularly as freezing weather approaches. The road was expected to reopen in August, but residents remain uncertain whether it will be usable before winter. They say construction traffic and the steep, potentially icy road make travel difficult, including for emergency and medical trips.
NorthPoint Development, which is associated with the data center project, and the City of Independence acknowledged the concerns. The city said it has been working with the developer and monitoring construction progress, with asphalt work planned before the road can reopen. Residents also criticized traffic controls, saying some drivers mistakenly enter the closed road and that construction trucks have increased disruption in the neighborhood.