This 130 mile network of electrified railroad connected Clay, Platte and Buchanan Counties in Missouri. The new railroad was considered state of the art, including 108 concrete arches and 6 large steel viaducts.
The railroad served several cities around Kansas City and St. Joseph with hourly service. The railroad remained highly profitable until 1929; at the advent of the automobile.
By 1930, the railroad would be placed into receivership; and would be abandoned by 1933.
Clay and Platte Counties purchased small pieces of the old railroad grade to create roads. Today, large portions of the KCCC&StJ still remain intact as county roads, nature trails and historic sites.
01/14/22
View an article regarding the construction of this route.
This simple concrete arch bridge carries the former Interurban Road across Todd Creek, near Ferrelview.
The bridge here was built in 1912 as a dual span Concrete Luten Arch. The Luten arch design was used extensively throughout the interurban system in the area.
After closing in March of 1933, the city of Ferrelview in conjunction with Platte County purchased the route to turn into a road.
Interurban Road closely follows the original grade of the KCCC&StJ Interurban between Ferrelview and Dearborn.
By 2008, the bridge was determined to be unsafe for vehicle use. A replacement bridge was built alongside the old structure. Fortunately, the old structure was preserved.
Unlike many of the other bridges along this line, this bridge was left standing. Fortunately, this allows this crossing to retain full historical integrity.
The bridge is in fair to poor condition, with severe spalling in several places along the structure.
Despite this, the author has ranked this bridge as being moderately significant; due to the number of remaining Luten arches along the former routes of the interurban.
The photo above is an overview. The author hopes that this bridge will be preserved for years to come.