KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Construction of the new 0.58-mile Lewis and Clark Viaduct, which spans the Kansas River on westbound Interstate 70, has been unaffected by this winter’s harsh weather.
The KCMetroKDOT account on Twitter, which provides updates on local Kansas Department of Transportation projects, made the announcement Wednesday in a series of social media posts.
It’s an absolutely beautiful day to check out construction progress on WB I-70 over the Kansas River! Good news - weather has not affected work, things are still on schedule! pic.twitter.com/ymr8LCfIko
— KCMetroKDOT (@KansasCityKDOT) February 20, 2019
Deck work and barrier walls have been built for the bridge-replacement project — a direct link between Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri — from the Kansas-Missouri state line around the interstate’s famed curve, according to KDOT.
Bridge deck progress: (sorry you can’t see it under the snow) they’ve got the first stretch from the state line around the curve paved and have started the barrier walls. pic.twitter.com/DWow2rS5wi
— KCMetroKDOT (@KansasCityKDOT) February 20, 2019
Most of the 20 piers required to support the westbound Lewis and Clark Viaduct, which was built in 1962, have been completed. The bridge carrying the eastbound lanes, which was built in 1907, eventually will need to be replaced as well.
Piers: all but 2 and a half of the 20 total piers have been completed. KDOT Project Engineer Jerry Thomas points out the new architectural features on the piers. The piers remaining are the one in the river and the two on the far bank. pic.twitter.com/CFJCfSTB2C
— KCMetroKDOT (@KansasCityKDOT) February 20, 2019
Crews are drilling in preparation for placing a pier in the river — another important step toward completion of the 2,980-foot-long bridge, which is expected by the end of 2019.
The bridge is on schedule to open at the end of this year, providing a structure that will support the heavy truck loads and traffic volumes that use I-70. Here, workers are drilling to prepare for a pier to go in on the river bank pic.twitter.com/LmW0PYujhH
— KCMetroKDOT (@KansasCityKDOT) February 20, 2019
The two-year project — with a $65-million price tag — was designed by Burns & McDonnell, Wilson & Company, and Confluence. Three Kansas City-based engineering firms.
The Lewis & Clark bridge replacement is a $65M 2 ye project. Here a coffer dam is going up around the pier in the river. Once the dam is up, water will be pumped out and a new pier will go in. Bedrock is about 30 feet below the water surface. Bridge opens at the end of 2019. pic.twitter.com/JvD36Sj8Hf
— KCMetroKDOT (@KansasCityKDOT) February 20, 2019
Pennsylvania-based American Bridge is overseeing construction.
Thanks for letting us interrupt snow and ice programming to bring you a mid-point update on the bridge. Now back to our regularly scheduled winter messaging! pic.twitter.com/wA8HBDUmEe
— KCMetroKDOT (@KansasCityKDOT) February 20, 2019
