Project Info:

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Role: Prime

Owner: Kansas City Public Works Department

Client: Kansas City Public Works Department

Construction Cost: $9,667,500

Services:

  • Bridge Replacement
  • Steel Plate Girder Bridge Design
  • Railroad Crossing Design (Grade-Separated)
  • Highway/Roadway Design
  • Intersection Analysis/Design
  • Lighting Design
  • ADA Facility Evaluation/Design
  • Retaining Wall Design
  • Environmental Study
  • Section 106 Consultation
  • Alternatives Development and Analysis
  • Final Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E)
  • Maintenance-of-Traffic (MOT) Plan Development
  • Construction Phasing Plan Development
  • Construction Engineering Inspection

Recognitions:

2012 American Public Works Association Kansas City Metro Chapter Transportation Project of the Year, $5 to $25 Million Category

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Forrester Road is the eastern entry into Kansas City’s Central Industrial District, an older industrial area undergoing revitalization. The Bruce Forrester Viaduct remains one of two bridges that connect the eastern and western portions of the district, which would otherwise be severed by the frequent rail traffic on the Union Pacific mainline. However, the existing viaduct had been built in the late 1940s and was posted at 3 tons. In addition, at the western end of the structure, two immediate 90-degree turns were required to continue along the main route. Both deficiencies made the viaduct unsuitable for truck traffic—a large percentage of the vehicle movement through any industrial area.

Lochner was responsible for the replacement of the viaduct, from the preliminary engineering study through to final design and construction engineering inspection. During the preliminary study, Lochner evaluated various alignment and structural alternatives for the new bridge, as well as several intersection configurations. Due to the age of the industrial area and the existing structure, Lochner oversaw a subconsultant team in the completion of a Section 106 historical review and a Phase I environmental site assessment.

Lochner’s traffic analysis and interviews with project stakeholders revealed that realigning Forrester Avenue at the west of the viaduct to line up directly with the continuation of 9th Street would solve many of the traffic flow problems at that end of the viaduct without creating undue hardship for any users. Section 106 clearance was obtained on the two buildings that had to be demolished to accomplish this realignment. The demolition of the buildings and the associated environmental remediation were included in the plans and specifications for the road and bridge replacement.

In the final design phase, Lochner developed design plans for its recommended replacement alternative: a 715-foot-long steel welded plate girder bridge with street lighting and a sidewalk. The bridge spanned a city street, the railroad tracks, and a 100-year-old sanitary sewer. The bridge approaches were supported on tall retaining walls, which required ground stabilization due to poor subgrade conditions. Lochner produced workable structural, roadway, and drainage designs within the constraints of extremely flat terrain with resultant poor drainage, minimal available right-of-way, and the presence of many driveways into the industrial facilities. As Forrester Road was a vital link through the industrial area, Lochner developed phased construction plans to maintain traffic during construction. The construction of the new bridge and the reestablishment and improvement of truck access supported the continued revitalization of the district.