Later in 1891, another 12 miles to Hume, Missouri would be opened. Another 99 miles would be opened to Joplin, Missouri by 1893. The line would continue south from this location the next year.
The new route left Grandview and headed straight south, along the Kansas/Missouri border. It would be acquired by the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad in 1893.
The route connected into Kansas City via a portion of the Kansas City Suburban Belt Railway that was constructed in 1877. The Kansas City & Independence Air Line would complete the connection in 1892.
In 1900, the Kansas City Southern Railway would be born through the combination of several companies, including those above.
The KCS was a well funded and constructed railroad, with track extending from Kansas City to the Gulf of Mexico. The line was heavily rebuilt in the first decade of the 20th century.
One of the major issues for the railroad was between Leeds (now part of Kansas City) and Grandview. The railroad followed the Blue River in a deep gorge, which oftentimes meant large grades and floods.
To counter this, the Kansas City and Grandview Railway was formed in 1923. Controlled by the KCS, the road sought to rebuild the mainline track between Leeds (now Kansas City) and Grandview.
Upon completion in 1929, the line was a success. Featuring massive bridges and deep cuts, the route proved to be an operational dream.
The line also helped the KCS economically, and improved their outlook during the Great Depression.
The KCS has had little changes since 1929. After the opening of the new track and route, the old line was sold to the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco). Frisco and successor Burlington Northern operated the line until the construction of the interstates through the area.
In 2017, the Kansas City-Joplin line is the mainline of the KCS, providing connections to the south and the east. It continues to see a steady traffic base.
12/23/21
This small deck girder span is likely the southernmost of the new bridges constructed when the KCS built a new alignment.
Simply built, this single deck girder span rests on elongated abutments. This bridge allows for a tolerable clearance underneath, a sign of a newer build date.
Overall, the bridge is in a deteriorated condition, and needs extensive repairs to fix the deteriorated concrete on the abutment. However, the steel span appears to be in good health.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant due to the common design and the small size.
The photo above is an overview.