MoDOT and Partners Finalize a Workforce
Partnering Agreement for kcICON Project

Following in the footsteps of another design-build project across the state, MoDOT and its Kansas City area roundtable partners agreed to a Workforce Utilization Partnering Agreement that will increase the number of socially and economically disadvantaged individuals trained for work on the kcICON project.

Roundtable partners include the Federal Highway Administration, Mid-America Regional Council, contractors, labor management, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs and community groups.

“MoDOT has dedicated up to $1.25 million for workforce development,” said kcICON Project Director Brian Kidwell. “We are extremely pleased that everyone has agreed on a plan that will increase the number of trained workers for the kcICON project and future highway construction projects.” 

The kcICON Workforce Utilization Advisory Committee will identify pre-apprenticeship training programs, recommend these programs for funding and monitor them for accountability and producing trainees ready for highway construction apprenticeships.

“We are excited to have a project in Kansas City that will link training and employment of minorities, women and economically disadvantaged individuals,” said MoDOT External Civil Rights Administrator Lester Woods. “It is a ‘new day’ at MoDOT, and we are thankful to all those stakeholders who have been involved.”

The $245 million kcICON project will reconstruct/rehabilitate about four miles of Interstate 29/35, improve outdated interchanges and construct a new Missouri River bridge(s).

The Workforce Utilization Plan Partnering Agreement and additional information is available on the project’s Web site: www.kcicon.org.