I'm a Northlander, which means I'm very familiar with the Paseo Bridge. Two years ago it underwent a renovation (and shut down for several months) and it was a major inconvenience. Well, along with 100,000 other drivers every day, I need to get ready for more traffic headaches starting next spring.

Okay, that's the negative view of what happened yesterday at the Marriott hotel downtown. MODOT announced its plans for a brand new Paseo bridge and I have to say they look great. The bridge is an important gateway into the city and it's getting a major upgrade. The new Paseo bridge is big and bold and will certainly make an impression on drivers, even ones who are only traveling through the area on I-35. Honestly, I can't wait for June 2011 when the project is done. I believe the new bridge will be a fantastic addition to the Kansas City metro.

But it's those three years until then that will be painful. There is some good news: the old bridge will remain open until the new one is built. MODOT is promising two lanes in each direction during the morning and evening rush hours. But officials are also warning us that there will be plenty of headaches, with squeezed lanes and closed exit ramps. I can't wait.

Alright, I'll try to stay positive. I'll end with what one of the Community Advisory Group members told me about the new Paseo Bridge: "I think it provides the kind of landmark structure that I think future generations will look at postcards of." Now that sounds like it will be worth the hassle. Nothing worthwhile is easy, right?