View an article regarding the construction of this bridge.
The massive Highline Bridge in Kansas City is a large through truss bridge over the Kansas River; and is approached by 4 viaducts.
Viaduct #2, the west approach was built in 1917 primarily to serve the Missouri Pacific line to Omaha. It directly connects to the main portion of the Highline Bridge near Shawnee Avenue and Railroad Street, on the west side of the Kansas River.
The feature of the viaduct is the three large Pratt Through Trusses which cross the Union Pacific Armstrong Yard. The easternmost truss is a 6-panel riveted span. This crossed the former Rock Island Armourdale Yard. The structure crosses most of the Armourdale Neighborhood of KCK.
In addition, the other two trusses are 5-panel, riveted spans which are mismatched in size. The reasoning for this is unknown, but the larger span is approximately 15 feet longer.
The remainder of the bridge features deck girder spans, sitting on both steel towers and the occasional concrete pier.
Some of the spans closest to the river spans were replaced in 2014 after a derailment of a train severely damaged pieces of this.
The author has no count on the total number of spans, but estimates it to be over 100. The bridge features two tracks, but only has one after the junction of Viaduct #4.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, despite its size and length. One of the main reasons is the apparent replacement of various spans at various times; giving it an unknown historic integrity.
The photo above is an overview of the eastern truss and its approach spans. The author hopes to bring better photography to this bridge soon, possibly with drone photography.
| Main Spans | Highline Bridge | |
| Missouri Approaches | Highline Approach Viaduct #1 | Highline Approach Viaduct #3 |
| Kansas Approaches | Highline Approach Viaduct #2 | Highline Approach Viaduct #4 |