I-70 / Lewis & Clark Viaduct: Aesthetic Enhancements

I-70 / Lewis & Clark Viaduct: Aesthetic Enhancements

Client

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)

Size

$65M / Half-Mile 20-Span Bridge

 

Collaborators

Burns & McDonnell

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I-70 / Lewis & Clark Viaduct: Aesthetic Enhancements

Kansas City, Kansas

 

Comprised of a series of bridges and connections, this viaduct extends over the West Bottoms area and provides a vital connection between Downtown Kansas City, Kansas and Downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

The existing viaduct was nearing the end of it's functional life, and is being replaced over several phases of construction.  At the outset of our involvement in this project, there was concern from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas (UG) about the impacts of the replacement - including whether this new infrastructure would compliment the community's revitalization and support its economic development potential. 

Confluence led and facilitated a collaborative community engagement process to identify concerns from community stakeholders while exploring opportunities to craft bridge and roadway features to reflect the City's unique history and art deco heritage. A set of Urban Design Guidelines was created and adopted by both the UG and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to serve as a guide for all future aesthetic enhancements and phases of bridge and roadway infrastructure replacement.   

Enhancements include art deco profiles for all bridge piers, aesthetic treatments for bridge railings and barriers, multi-modal bridge replacement, retaining wall enhancements, bridge lighting, open space and connectivity improvements.