23rd Street viaduct

The Kansas Avenue Bridge has three main and seventeen approach spans. The main spans over the Kansas (Kaw) River are a Warren deck truss, with the trusses cantilevering at either end.{{Cite web |url=https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=kansas/kansasavenue/ |website=HistoricBridges.org |title=Kansas Avenue Bridge |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125070520/https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=kansas/kansasavenue/ |url-status=live }}

A previous low-line bridge over the river existed at the site, and plans for a high-line replacement were drafted in 1914.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-east-kansas-avenue-bridge-plan/135695787/ |date=June 5, 1914 |page=1 |title=East Kansas Avenue Bridge Plans In |newspaper=The Press |location=Kansas City, Kansas |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190617/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-east-kansas-avenue-bridge-plan/135695787/ |url-status=live }} However, various delays on the Kansas and Missouri side stalled construction.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-nearer-a-start-on-2/135695910/ |date=December 15, 1914 |page=2 |title=Nearer A Start on 23d: Last Obstacle Removed From a Beginning on Kansas Side. |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190615/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-nearer-a-start-on-2/135695910/ |url-status=live }} Work on the piers took place in 1915,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kansas-city-sun-bridge-piers-are-pushed/135696144/ |date=May 14, 1915 |page=1 |title=Bridge Piers Are Pushed. |newspaper=Kansas City Sun |location=Kansas City, Kansas |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190621/https://www.newspapers.com/article/kansas-city-sun-bridge-piers-are-pushed/135696144/ |url-status=live }} but construction was briefly halted in June when county commissioners believed that concrete bases were not being drilled enough to support its weight.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-officials-halt-bri/135696199/ |date=June 12, 1915 |page=18 |title=Officials Halt Bridge Work: Bases for East Kansas Avenue Structure Not Believed Deep Enough. |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190615/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-officials-halt-bri/135696199/ |url-status=live }} By November, the main issue was that work on the Missouri side's new 23rd Street Trafficway had not sufficiently advanced.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-a-new-23d-street-d/135696301/ |date=November 30, 1915 |page=3 |title=A New 23d Street Delay: Wyandotte County Not to Hurry While Missouri Side Does Nothing. |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190610/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-a-new-23d-street-d/135696301/ |url-status=live }}

Despite the Kansas River washing out some bridge falsework,{{Cite news |work=Engineering News |title=Bridge Falsework Washed Out; Kansas City, Mo. |pages=196–197 |date=January 27, 1916}} construction of the bridge itself was almost finished in May 1916. The dilemma facing Kansas officials was outlined by a headline in The Weekly Gazette Globe: "Wyandotte County Completes Kansas Avenue High Line Before Missouri Gets Started".{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weekly-gazette-globe-missouris-dela/135696397/ |date=May 11, 1916 |page=1 |title=Missouri's Delay Costly: Wyandotte County Completes Kansas Avenue High Line Before Missouri Gets Started |newspaper=The Weekly Gazette Globe |location=Kansas City, Kansas |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190613/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-weekly-gazette-globe-missouris-dela/135696397/ |url-status=live }} In 1915, Missouri was reported to have no funding to build its approach, resulting in a decision to build a temporary connection to another viaduct carrying Allen Avenue.{{Cite magazine |magazine=Bridges |pages=496–499 |issue=22 |volume=58 |title=Design Features of the East Kansas Ave. Bridge Over the Kansas River at Kansas City, Kan. |date=June 2, 1915}} The incomplete link snarled traffic in the area; vehicles crossing from the Armourdale area on the Kansas side faced long waits, and freight vehicles were being detoured as many as {{Convert | 5 | mi | 0 | spell = in}} to the James Street Bridge.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-traffic-chokes-23d/135733187/ |date=August 10, 1916 |page=1 |title=Traffic Chokes 23d. St.: Alongside New Bridge Vehicles Wait Turn to Cross River. |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 25, 2023}} Even though a dispute about the use of the new bridge by streetcars was settled in August{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-go-ahead-on-23d-str/135733222/ |date=August 13, 1916 |page=2 |title=Go Ahead On 23d Street: Work On Temporary Approach To Begin Without Delay. |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125070522/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-go-ahead-on-23d-str/135733222/ |url-status=live }} and work on the Missouri approaches started later that year,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-globe-high-line-in-ten-d/135696545/ |date=December 26, 1916 |page=1 |title=High Line In Ten Days: Missouri Side Approach to Be Completed After Long Delays. |newspaper=The Kansas City Globe |location=Kansas City, Kansas |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190617/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-globe-high-line-in-ten-d/135696545/ |url-status=live }} the agreement came apart. The Metropolitan Railway was prevented from laying tracks on the road by the Kansas City, Kansas, police until it agreed to pay its share of the viaduct's cost under Kansas law.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-may-cut-three-met/135733260/ |date=January 10, 1917 |page=1 |title=May Cut Three Met. Lines: Kansas Avenue Bridge to Go and Traffic Is Guarded. |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125070520/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-may-cut-three-met/135733260/ |url-status=live }} A final settlement was reached on February 3, 1917, under which the railway capitulated to the county officials' demands, allowing the streetcars to discontinue using the old bridge.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-a-truce-in-23d-st/135832585/ |date=February 3, 1917 |page=2 |title=A Truce in 23d. St. Fight: The Met. Finally Agrees To Pay Half The Bridge Costs. |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 27, 2023}} Dismantling of the old bridge, considered a "flood menace" by the Kaw Valley Drainage Board, began days later.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-will-remove-two-br/135733130/ |date=February 5, 1917 |page=7 |title=Will Remove Two Bridges: Razing of Dangerous Structure Over Kaw Begins This Week. |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125070521/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-will-remove-two-br/135733130/ |url-status=live }}

The temporary Missouri-side approach, a wooden structure,{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-cars-delayed-by-via/135841198/ |date=March 7, 1917 |page=1 |title=Cars Delayed By Viaduct: Stringer Worked Loose on Temporary Twenty-Third Street Approach. |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 27, 2023}} was inadequate. In 1918, it was labeled "dangerous to public welfare", but resources and labor were unavailable to build it because they had been diverted to fight World War I;{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-one-million-dollars-more-in-bo/135696736/ |date=October 11, 1918 |page=1 |title=One Million Dollars More In Bonds |newspaper=The Press |location=Kansas City, Kansas |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212065454/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-one-million-dollars-more-in-bo/135696736/ |url-status=live }} the war had previously affected bridge construction by raising prices for materials.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-a-tempest-in-a-teapot/135833232/ |date=September 5, 1919 |page=1 |title=A Tempest in a Teapot |newspaper=The Press |location=Kansas City, Kansas |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212065454/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-a-tempest-in-a-teapot/135833232/ |url-status=live }} The viaduct east of the Kansas River did not open until September 1, 1921.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-new-viaduct-now-re/135697023/ |date=September 1, 1921 |page=1 |title=New Viaduct Now Ready: Twenty-Third Structure Will Be Formally Opened Today. |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190610/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-new-viaduct-now-re/135697023/ |url-status=live }}

The rails used by the streetcars were removed after the Great Flood of 1951.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-a-traffic-bottlenec/135697295/ |date=August 10, 1953 |page=2 |title=A traffic bottleneck may be created... |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190625/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-a-traffic-bottlenec/135697295/ |url-status=live }} The bridge was closed in 1954 to allow it to be widened to four lanes, raised {{Convert | 5 | ft | spell = in}}, and resurfaced. The reopened bridge relieved a congested 7th Street Trafficway Bridge.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-renew-city-link-e/135695222/ |date=September 9, 1954 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-renew-city-link/135695273/ 11] |title=Renew City Link: East Kansas Avenue Bridge Is Opened With a Flourish of Ceremony and Parade |newspaper=The Kansas City Times |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190618/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-renew-city-link-e/135695222/ |url-status=live }} Another lengthy closure took place from December 1960 to September 1961.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-work-on-23rd-street/135697187/ |date=December 21, 1960 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-work-on-23rd-street/135697215/ 2] |title=Work on 23rd Street Viaduct To Tie Traffic |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190616/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-work-on-23rd-street/135697187/ |url-status=live }}

In 1974, a portion of the concrete deck fell into the Kansas River; major repairs were suggested to be put off because of impending major work.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-need-for-repairs-on/135695118/ |date=October 17, 1974 |page=4 |title=Need for Repairs on Bridge Urgent |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190627/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-need-for-repairs-on/135695118/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-conditions-of-2-bri/135694945/ |date=October 31, 1974 |page=4 |first=Richard |last=Hood |title=Conditions of 2 Bridges Deteriorate Further |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190611/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-conditions-of-2-bri/135694945/ |url-status=live }} This work took place between November 1977 and November 1978 and involved a re-decking of the structure.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-joint-bridge-effort/135695542/ |date=November 11, 1977 |page=4 |first=Richard |last=Hood |title=Joint Bridge Effort Approved |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190623/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-joint-bridge-effort/135695542/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-wyandotte-opens-23r/135695410/ |date=November 22, 1978 |page=4 |title=Wyandotte Opens 23rd Street Viaduct |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190609/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-wyandotte-opens-23r/135695410/ |url-status=live }} Jurisdiction was transferred from Wyandotte County to Kansas City, Kansas, at the end of the project.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-transfer-of-two-bri/135695364/ |date=December 29, 1978 |page=3 |title=Transfer of Two Bridges Is Delayed |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190612/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-transfer-of-two-bri/135695364/ |url-status=live }} Another major refit of the bridge occurred between May 2007 and January 2008; a ramp to Wyoming Street was removed.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-overdue-work-on-via/135697097/ |date=May 12, 2007 |page=B2 |title=Overdue work on viaduct is under way |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124190619/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-overdue-work-on-via/135697097/ |url-status=live }}

After an inspection, in July 2022, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, closed the bridge to traffic.{{Cite news |last=Koch |first=Makenzie |date=July 15, 2022 |title=Wyandotte County abruptly closing Kansas Avenue Bridge until further notice |language=en-US |work=WDAF-TV |url=https://fox4kc.com/news/kansas-news/wyandotte-county-abruptly-closing-kansas-avenue-bridge-until-further-notice/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125053432/https://fox4kc.com/news/kansas-news/wyandotte-county-abruptly-closing-kansas-avenue-bridge-until-further-notice/ |url-status=live }} This came a year after Unified Government performed emergency repairs, including the replacement of a joint, after a consultant for the Kansas Department of Transportation notified it about "concerning signs of wear".{{Cite news |title=Kansas River Bridge Closed for Inspection |language=en-US |work=Unified Government |url=https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/News-articles/Kansas-River-Bridge-Closure-March-2022 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |date=March 24, 2022 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125053433/https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/News-articles/Kansas-River-Bridge-Closure-March-2022 |url-status=live }} In March 2023, Unified Government officials committed $30 million in order to qualify for matching grants to repair the bridge.{{Cite news |last=Dulle |first=Brian |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Wyandotte County commissioners talk plans, costs to repair Kansas Avenue Bridge |language=en-US |work=WDAF-TV |url=https://fox4kc.com/news/wyandotte-county-commissioners-talk-plans-costs-to-repair-kansas-avenue-bridge/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125053438/https://fox4kc.com/news/wyandotte-county-commissioners-talk-plans-costs-to-repair-kansas-avenue-bridge/ |url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

{{Crossings navbox

| structure = Crossings

| place = Kansas River

| bridge = 23rd Street viaduct

| upstream = Highline Bridge (Kansas City)

| upstream signs = Kansas City Terminal Railway

| downstream = Rock Island Bridge (Kansas City)

| downstream signs = Rock Island Railroad

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:23rd Street Viaduct}}

Category:Bridges over the Kansas River

Category:Bridges in Kansas City, Kansas

Category:Bridges completed in 1921

Category:Road bridges in Kansas

Category:Warren truss bridges in the United States