UP Kansas River Bridge (Kansas City, South)

View an article discussing the 1912 reconstruction of this bridge

Located immediately south of the Interstate 70 bridge, this large truss bridge is one of two parallel bridges across the Kansas River at this location. The first bridge at this location was a wooden through truss, typical for large spans along the Kansas Pacific during the 1860s. At some point during the 1880s, the bridge was rebuilt with a light iron truss bridge. This bridge lasted until the Flood of 1903, when the bridge was destroyed, despite the parallel Missouri Pacific bridge surviving the flood intact.

Construction began on a new bridge in 1904. The new bridge would consist of three double track 180-foot, 10-panel pin-connected Pratt through truss spans, set onto new concrete piers. The new truss spans utilized a typical Union Pacific design, designed by James Keys. These spans utilized built up members, a lattice portal and a heavy floor system. In 1909, the bridge would be raised an additional 2 feet. In 1912, the bridge was extensively reconstructed to conform to new channel requirements of the Kaw Valley Drainage District and the War Department. The bridge would be shifted both transversely and longitudinally, as well as raised an additional 6.5 feet. In addition, a new 196-foot, 8-panel Pratt through truss span would be added to the west end of the bridge. The new concrete piers would be capped with stone blocks, an unusual feature for bridges of this era.

Once the new piers and abutments were completed, the old west span was disassembled, except for the floorbeams and stringers, which were supported by temporary piling. The new 196-foot span was then installed on the west end of the bridge. The two old east spans, each weighing approximately 550 tons, were then simultaneously shifted 66 feet longitudinally, and then transversely 30 feet to the north. This work was completed by riveting the two spans together. Traffic over the bridge was interrupted for approximately seven hours to complete the movement. The old west span was then reassembled as the new east span of the bridge.

Further alterations have since been made to the bridge. In approximately 1950, a screw jack lift system was installed on the bridge. This lift system allowed the bridge to be raised in the event of severe flooding. The Rock Island Bridge and the Highline Bridge also had similar lift mechanisms installed at the same time. At this time, a 22-foot steel stringer span would be installed on the east end of the bridge to accommodate new levees. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, and is heavily used by Union Pacific. No significant deterioration was noted to the bridge at the time of documentation. This bridge is now known as the "Union Pacific Intermodal Bridge", as it mainly serves intermodal traffic. The author has ranked this bridge as being regionally significant, due to the unique history and the installation of a lift system.