Paseo Bridge

Amazing and depressing that they could spend so much on building a new iconic bridge, and yet still be missing bike/ped lanes to provide safe crossing for active transportation. Shameful.

Close-up of the new bridge.

I had feared they would remove the last of the steel before Memorial Day weekend, when I was out of town, but it was just this past Thursday and Friday, June 9th & 10th, that the final steel came down, leaving only concrete piers, etc.

For the past six months, there was always still some profile of the old bridge, as seen from the Heart of America bridge, but no longer.

Sorry, but I thought the old bridge was ugly. Squat & square-looked like it was designed by someone into "brutalism" architecture. I like the new one-love the graceful lines of the cables!

New bridge is just one tower. Yuck!

Demolition continues, as the north approach is completely gone, and the deck has been removed. Several of the support cables are now detached. It's sad to see another neat bridge gone in the KC area.

The deck of this bridge is being demolished and the superstructure demolition will take place in May of this year. http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/26/2755320/paseo-bridge-demolition-becomes.html

I slightly predate this bridge so my recollection of its early days are those of a very young person.

I believe this bridge was originally built to connect The Paseo, a major boulevard in Kansas City, to the east side of North Kansas City. It cost a dime toll to cross and was a part of the frequent trips from our south KC residence to visit the grandparents in NKC.

When the interstate system was built in and around downtown KC, they routed I-35 and I-29 across this bridge and removed the toll. The bridge is two lanes in each direction and is no longer sufficient to carry the traffic on these routes. Otherwise it has performed well except for a period when a tie at the south end broke requiring a closure of several months.

I have to question the wisdom of building an eight lane bridge next to a satisfactory four lane. The much more elegant solution seems to be to build a matching bridge next to the old one. I can't imagine that a four lane suspension bridge would cost more to build than the current replacement.

"Kit" Bond has been a player in MO politics for 40 years and has enough pull to get a major project in the KC area named after him. The last two bridges across the MO River have been UCEBs, so the decision to build something nicer is a pleasant change.

Kansas City is promoting the new bridge as an "icon" and will probably adapt its profile into various logos as was done at one time with the Paseo Bridge. Since the Paseo Bridge is physically very close to the new bridge and interferes with the visual appeal of the "icon" I suspect that it's doomed.

There is a riverfront park on the south bank just upriver from the crossing and there is the possibility that the old bridge could be incorporated into that somehow, but the north bank has a pretty rough industrial ares that would need a lot of work to make suitable as a destination worthy of having a bridge landing there.

I think we can write this one off as a victim of "economic stimulus" and the "pork barrel".

A couple of links to pictures at the KC Library. Search "paseo bridge".

http://www.kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Montgomery&CISOPTR=4235&CISOBOX=1&REC=20

http://www.kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Askren&CISOPTR=18&CISOBOX=1&REC=4

Im sorry, but a wonderful suspension bridge, built only in the mid 50's cannot be used? I have no way to count my trips back and forth on it, before and after the 2005 refurb.(And why a refurb just 6 yrs before you plan to shitcan it?) There is no reason to end auto traffic on this bridge (unless there's an issue Im unaware of) The Missouri River bridges in KC are full every workday, but not over filled at all. Building a new bridge, next to a perfectly fine one, and closing the older one doesn't seem allay any anticipated traffic woes. If anything, losing the Paseo is going to make life very difficult for business people to traverse the city easily.

Perhaps an additional bridge was needed, but I have my doubts. Kit Bond is an asswipe of the lowest order and Im sure a huge serving of pork was secured before he left the Senate so he could take a swipe at blighting Kansas City by building the 2nd if not 3rd span crossing the Missouri in KC in the last 10-15 yrs. Right now 7 bridges cross the Mighty MO in KC...doesn't that seem enough for a mid major city? In any event, Im sure the plaque will be nice.

The Paseo Bridge will handle its last vehicle traffic Friday, November 19. Here's an article on that event: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/18/2450528/paseo-bridge-goes-into-retirement.html

The Paseo Bridge will see it's last days of vehicle traffic during 2011. The Christoper Bond Bridge is being built right next to it. It will be 3 lanes both directions. The new bridge currently has it's main pier built and it towers above the old bridge. The new bridge is going to be another of the cable bridges.

Here is a link with project camera of the new bridge.

http://www.kcicon.com/proj_video.html

I found two photos in a presentation buried in the MODOT FTP website that showed this bridge prior to its final rehab. Of interest is a pre-rehab portal view and a view of the plaque.

No, the new bridge will be a cable-stayed bridge.

with six lanes of traffic.

The current MAY be used as a bike trail, but with the new light-rail KC wants to build, it may be used for that.

but, for light-rail, the A.S.B. Bridge is being looked for that.

Or, the Heart of America bridge.

But, with new info in, it looks like the Paseo Bridge might be torn down at the end of 2011.

But I hope they can find another use for it..............

well so you are saying the old bridge will only be used for bikes or walking and they are going to build a new bridge and the new bridge is going to look like the old bridge but a little bit diffrent.

This bridge, will be replaced by another bridge in 2011.

From what I have heard, the new bridge will be built about 150-200 feet east of the current bridge.

It already has a name, it will be called the

Chris S. Bond bridge.

I want to know why they just don't leave the current name.

And, someone said that the current bridge will not be destroyed.

But I can not be sure about that.

If they leave it there after the replacement bridge is built,someone may get hurt on it, as the state will no longer inspect it.

But, the state might turn it into a bicycle or walking bridge.

But anyway, it will be replaced.

Work to start on the new bridge is supposed to start in 2010.

I will watch out for it.

This bridge, will be replaced by another bridge in 2011.

From what I have heard, the new bridge will be built about 150-200 feet east of the current bridge.

It already has a name, it will be called the

Chris S. Bond bridge.

I want to know why they just don't leave the current name.

And, someone said that the current bridge will not be destroyed.

But I can not be sure about that.

If they leave it there after the replacement bridge is built,someone may get hurt on it, as the state will no longer inspect it.

But, the state might turn it into a bicycle or walking bridge.

But anyway, it will be replaced.

Work to start on the new bridge is supposed to start in 2010.

I will watch out for it.

This bridge was resurfaced and repainted in late 2005 to mid 2006

The last time I crossed this bridge was at night, in the rain and sleet, in the winter on a 350 cc motorcycle. As I recall, the deck was of steel grating and really treacherous. Of course, under those circumstances, it's no wonder. I was crossing the country on the bike in the winter of 1968. I don't recommend it.

I remember this bridge as a young man my first job was in north kc. and the bridge had a toll 20 cents one way and 10cents back.

I am remember Paseo Bridge over Missouri River. It was pay toll bridges. it was old bridge. it is good bridge. THANK YOU.