Todd Creek Interurban Bridge

Located north of Ferrelview, this concrete arch bridge once carried the KCCC&StJ and later Interurban Road over Todd Creek. Designed by Robert P Woods and built by the Wyandotte Construction Company, the bridge was built in 1912, and opened to traffic in 1913. It consists of two 52-foot Luten concrete arch spans, set onto concrete substructures. The Luten design was extensively used throughout the KCCC&StJ, with over 100 examples constructed. This design utilized additional reinforcements to laterally reinforce the bridge, reducing the overall volume of concrete required. The design was patented by Daniel B Luten, an American bridge engineer. The Luten design was utilized extensively for interurban bridges and roadway bridges in the early 20th Century. A handful of examples continue to exist along the former KCCC&StJ right-of-way. After the KCCC&StJ was abandoned, the bridge and adjacent right-of-way were purchased by Platte County and converted to roadway use. During the conversion, the tracks and ballast were removed from the bridge, and an asphalt surface constructed. In 2008, a new bridge was built alongside the old bridge, and the old bridge closed to traffic. The bridge now closed to traffic, and effectively abandoned. Fortunately, this bridge was preserved, as several other KCCC&StJ bridges were demolished during the 1990s and 2000s. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to poor condition, with significant spalling throughout the structure, particularly at the pier. The author has ranked the bridge as being moderately significant, as it is a well preserved example of an interurban bridge in the area.