If you and your RV are heading to Kansas City, here’s a heads-up. A bridge in the Kansas side of the two-state city is closed, causing major disruptions.
Authorities have closed the eastbound lanes of Clark Viaduct, I-70, over the Kansas River and will likely keep them closed through the balance of the year.
Kansas interstate bridge is closed “out of an abundance of caution”
No ship hit here, but an inspection by bridge engineers called out a concern. Kansas Department of Transportation folk found problems with gusset plates, which connect bridge truss members.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” says KDOT, the bridge is closed to both vehicles and pedestrians. The state will need about a month to work out repair plans, and then a few months to put them into action.
“The safety of the traveling public is the reason the decision was made to close this bridge,” said KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed. “We know that a sudden bridge closure of this magnitude will be a challenge for those who live, work, and travel in this area, especially with the closure of other Kansas River crossings in the region. We will work diligently to make these repairs as quickly as possible so that we can get the bridge back open to traffic.”
At least once a year, inspectors check the eastbound I-70 bridge over the Kansas River. This is more often than federal law requires.
The last major rehabilitation work on the bridge was in 2021. The Lewis and Clark Viaduct is a series of bridges making up an interchange with I-70, Minnesota Avenue, Washington Boulevard, and Fairfax Trafficway in Kansas City, Kansas.
Engineers built the bridge in 1907. They modified it in 1963 to bring it up to the standards of the day. Its companion westbound I-70 bridge doesn’t have safety issues, and remains open to traffic.
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Sounds like the same problem that closed the US 50 bridges across Blue Mesa Reservoir in April. Emergency repairs have managed to reopen one lane of US 50 during daylight hours, with a pilot car controlling speeds. And small RVs and delivery trucks are now allowed to cross with the cars, pickups, and motorcycles. Larger Class As, Class Cs, and 5th wheels must still use the detour.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Good to know that there are significant delays on I-70 east in Kansa City! Thank you! 🙂 Have a great days, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Wow. Thanks for the info. Was going to be in that area.
I live south and east outside of Kansas City, Missouri and do not often need to use the Lewis and Clark Viaduct but I’m surprised that I haven’t heard about the closing on the local news. Thanks RV Travel for keeping us locals informed.