History
Designed by the engineering firm, Waddell and Redrick in 1903, the viaduct followed a flood that same year that wiped out all but one of the 17 bridges that spanned the Kaw River. Ground broke to mark the building of the bridge in 1905.
1907: Opens to two lanes of toll traffic, with streetcar tracks.
1908: Bridge survives 1908 flood.
1911: Bank foreclosed on bridge, toll not making enough money to pay off bridge building cost.
1917: Bridge purchased by Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri
1918: Ribbon cutting ceremony held to open bridge to free traffic under city control, and ownership.
1930: Steel deck truss beams converted to a lower level, two lane automobile deck.
1936: Streetcar rails removed, and bridge opened to four lanes of traffic on upper level.
1951: Bridge survives 1951 Kansas City flood, becoming the only bridge to remain open to traffic during the flood.
1962: Lewis and Clark Viaduct built to north, old steel piers tubed off, and coated with concrete.
1969: Bridge renamed the Lewis and Clark Viaduct after its sister bridge.
1993: Bridge survives 1993 Kansas City flood.
1999-2000: Lower level of original (eastbound) bridge rehabilitated for pedestrian and bicycle access.
2007: Bridge turns 100 years of age, several people gather from West Bottoms on the same day it opened in 1907, held lights to bridge, honoring it for its 100 years of service.
Read more about this topic: Intercity Viaduct
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