With Interstate 70 (I-70) serving as a major highway connecting much of the United States, one section of the interstate in the heartland is undergoing major renovations to provide reliable connections for both daily commuters and cross-country travelers. The Lewis & Clark Viaduct is a network of bridges that carries I-70 across the Kansas River, several railroad tracks, multiple streets and the West Bottoms industrial area to connect travelers across Missouri and Kansas. Originally built in 1907, the eastbound viaduct served as a four-lane, two-level deck truss bridge to accommodate both automobile and pedestrian traffic. Designed by Waddell and Hedrick and known as the Intercity Viaduct, the viaduct was the first roadway bridge to con- nect Kansas City, Missouri, with Kansas City, Kansas. When it was first built, the Intercity Viaduct carried both eastbound and westbound traffic. The bridge was later renamed the Lewis & Clark Viaduct on Jan. 25, 1969, taking the name of its companion bridge that carries the westbound lanes, which was built to the north in 1962. With the viaduct last renovated in 1984, many updates were needed to provide an aesthetically appealing and reliable bridge. While the Revitalizing a Century-Old Gateway to the Midwest By Kevin Eisenbeis, PE, SE
increasing to maintain the original structure. KDOT selected Burns & McDonnell to design the Phase 1 westbound I-70 bridge reconstruc- tion as part of a multiphase project for the Lewis & Clark Viaduct. Planning Ahead With extensive experience addressing the engineering and construc- tion complexities of projects spanning major river crossings, Burns & McDonnell was able to incorporate techniques that minimized disrup- tions to adjacent properties. Project scope included preparation of final design, field check and final plans, railroad coordination, and coordina- tion of the horizontal and vertical alignment. The team also organized signing, lighting and aesthetic elements, as well as coordinated safety standards to keep construction equipment and signs at an appropriate height to avoid conflicts with nearby Wheeler Downtown Airport. As part of a multiphase project, Phase 1 necessitated the closure of westbound I-70 for two construction seasons, impacting KDOT; Mis- souri Department of Transportation (MoDOT); Kansas City, Missouri; and Kansas City, Kansas. Maintenance of traffic and detour plans were developed to prevent major traffic issues around the region. The team also kept public and impacted stakeholders, such as the Fairfax Industrial District and other relevant local businesses, informed about progress. The strategic local communication also served to gather input that would help maintain transportation access throughout the construction process. The traffic studies coordinated placement of ap- propriate signage to prevent traffic bottlenecks.
Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) deemed the bridge safe for travel, the viaduct had structural issues, was considered functionally obsolete and needed upgrades to meet current design standards. The viaduct, consisting of nine bridges, is inspected by KDOT ev- ery two years to evaluate existing condi- tions and confirm necessary maintenance is completed to meet safety regulations. KDOT identified several aspects of the viaduct that needed structural updates and required an outside team of engi- neers to complete the project. By the time construction is complete, the new 2,980-foot-long, 20-span bridge will con- sist of two-thirds structural steel I-girder and one-third prestressed concrete girder superstructure with 19 new or rehabili- tated concrete piers. The bridge is also expected to require 8.8 million pounds of new structural steel, 5,400 lineal feet of new concrete girders, 21,000 cubic yards of concrete and 3.1 million pounds of re- inforcing steel throughout construction. The new bridge is expected to decrease maintenance costs that were continually
Lewis and Clark Viaduct, Kansas City, KS. Photo: Confluence
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