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RI Blue Parkway Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Blue Parkway (MO-350)
Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name RI Blue Parkway Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor Unknown
Currently Owned By Jackson County
Length 50 Feet Total
Width 1 Track
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1934
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Closed to Traffic)
Current Status Closed to Traffic
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date November 2019


View an article regarding the construction of this route.

Located on the southeast side of Kansas City, this deck girder bridge crosses Blue Parkway (Missouri Highway 350) at the junction of Noland Road (Route V).
Built in 1934 when US Highway 50 was widened in the area, the bridge consists of a single deck girder span, set onto concrete substructures. While the road underneath is a major connector road and a divided highway on either side of this bridge, this structure is a massive choke point for the busy road underneath.
Because these types of bridges were cheap and easy to build, many exist on almost every railroad in America. Unfortunately, this narrow bridge will eventually be replaced, as it is very narrow and restricts the flow of traffic.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with little deterioration. While the bridge remains abandoned, the Rock Island Trail utilizes a new pedestrian bridge built parallel to the bridge.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Reconstruction of road
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele