01Treat a bridge or live-lane stop as urgent
Call 911 for injury, fire, smoke, a hazardous spill, a vehicle blocking a lane, a dangerous bridge position, or another immediate threat. Do not cross the freeway, climb a bridge barrier, enter an industrial access area, or walk through an interchange.
02Give state, direction, and river position
Say Missouri or Kansas, northbound or southbound, and whether you are north or south of a river crossing. Add the nearest signed exit and the last route crossed. A general Kansas City, Kansas location is not enough to choose the correct approach.
03Name the complete interchange movement
Important anchors include the I-29/U.S. 69 area in Riverside, Kansas Avenue or K-32, I-70, Metropolitan Avenue or Shawnee Drive, and the I-35 connection in Merriam. At I-70 or I-35, say whether you are on I-635, a connector, an exit ramp, or the other freeway.
04Describe bridge, barrier, and access constraints
Report right or left shoulder, bridge deck, barrier, lane exposure, work zone, ramp curvature, nearby industrial or rail features, and whether the vehicle can reach a public lot. Never direct a responder through a locked or restricted gate without permission.
05Check both states' current traveler systems
Use KanDrive for Kansas, MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for Missouri, and KC Scout for the regional freeway picture. Construction and bridge repair can change ramps and shoulders; current signs and incident responders take priority.
06Confirm authority and assignment across the state line
Give vehicle condition, keys, drivetrain, wheels, damage, leaks, requested help, destination, and property instructions. Call live dispatch at 816-588-8888 to confirm applicable Kansas or Missouri authority, safe access, equipment, availability, estimate, and assignment.