LIVE COVERAGE:
5 p.m. | President Joe Biden's trip to Kansas City has concluded.
During his speech at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, the president spoke about many of the various facets of the new infrastructure law as well as the "Build Back Better" social spending bill making its way through Congress.
KSHB 41 News has put together a summary of Biden's remarks as well as a photo gallery of the visit.
During his speech, Biden also paid tribute to the recently deceased Sen. Bob Dole and Buck O'Neil, who was recently elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
2 p.m. | President Joe Biden is unveiling a new slogan for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - "Building a Better America."
The president will use his Kansas City, Missouri, trip to unveil the rebrand.
"Building a Better America" slogans can be seen all around where the president is set to speak.
Biden is currently touring the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
KSHB 41 News reporter Leslie DelasBour caught some video of the president's motorcade arriving in the 18th & Vine District.
HAPPENING NOW : President Biden just passed through the 18TH & Vine district @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/Pd8t7bDCxx
— Leslie DelasBour KSHB 41 (@ldelasbourtv) December 8, 2021
Also on 18th & Vine are some Biden supporters and protesters.
HAPPNEING NOW : We’re told President Biden will be passing through the 18TH & Vine District. As he heads to speak at the KCATA. He’s being met with supporters & protestors along 18TH and Vine. @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/ulB6Equjdk
— Leslie DelasBour KSHB 41 (@ldelasbourtv) December 8, 2021
1 p.m. | Air Force One has landed at Kansas City International Airport.
KSHB 41 News reporter Charlie Keegan was at KCI to cover President Biden’s arrival.
President Biden was greeted by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and his wife and Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas.
After talking with Parson and Lucas, Biden entered Cadillac One, also known as “the Beast,” and started heading to downtown Kansas City.
“It’s a good day when we talk about infrastructure,” Parson said. “It’s great to have a president in Missouri.”
Parson also talked with KSHB 41 about his administration’s investment to increase broadband internet access across the state. His plan is to invest over $400 million of the American Rescue Plan Act to address broadband connectivity issues in Missouri.
12 p.m. | While the president is en route, the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is warning residents to expect traffic delays.
"President Biden will visit Kansas City late this morning and afternoon. Please be prepared for traffic delays around downtown," KCPD said in a social media post. "KCPD will have a heavy presence in this area."
The presidential motorcade will travel from KCI to the KCATA office around 1 p.m.
The motorcade has arrived at KCI before Biden's arrival.
“The Beast” has arrived at @KCIAirport ahead of the @POTUS’s arrival. pic.twitter.com/4ZQBcgSdRJ
— Charlie Keegan (@CharlieKeegan41) December 8, 2021
10:30 a.m. | President Biden has boarded Air Force One and is headed to Kansas City.
🎶 "Well, I might take a plane, I might take a train
— KSHB 41 News (@KSHB41) December 8, 2021
If I got to walk, I'm going just the same
I'm going to Kansas City
Kansas City here I come" 🎶 pic.twitter.com/lu5gcLaYlp
Rep. Sharice Davids posted on social media that her and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver also are on Air Force One headed to Kansas City International Airport.
"The President is coming to town!" Cleaver said in a post. "Excited to join on Air Force One as he travels to KC today to highlight how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help Missouri rebuild our roads and bridges, remove lead pipes, expand broadband, implement sustainable transit and more!"
ORIGINAL STORY | President Joe Biden is set to visit Kansas City, Missouri, Wednesday afternoon.
Biden will be visiting the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, and he will deliver remarks about how the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help the area.
RELATED | President Biden's visit to KC will center around KCATA, improving public transit
The president will arrive at Kansas City International Airport around 12:45 p.m. where KSHB 41 will cover his arrival.
The stairway and tripods are at @KCIAirport awaiting @POTUS’s arrival. @MayorLucasKC and @GovParsonMO are expected to be among a greeting party to welcome @JoeBiden to @KCMO. The president will spend most of his time at @RideKCTransit HQ where @RepDavids will also speak. pic.twitter.com/e7G8hvfUIC
— Charlie Keegan (@CharlieKeegan41) December 8, 2021
Airport officials warned people on social media not to come to the airport to attempt to see Biden and Air Force One today.
Biden will then travel to KCATA and speak with press around 2:30 p.m. Rep. Sharice Davids, who represents parts of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, will also speak.
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas and other Kansas City area officials will be welcoming the president.
"My special thanks to the women and men of KCFD, KCPD, the KCATA, the labor movement and all of our city government who will make today's visit a success," Lucas said on social media.
TheKCATA has previously said that they plan to use the money given to them through the infrastructure package to better roads, invest in electric vehicles, upgrade the KCATA headquarters and create a bi-state, fast-transit bus route.
Here is KSHB 41's previous coverage on how the infrastructure law could impact the area:
Construction industry optimistic about infrastructure law
$1.2 trillion infrastructure bill could benefit existing projects in the Kansas City-area
KCK eyes using funds from infrastructure law on stormwater system
