The Broadway Bridge

An old school top steel truss bridge is a thing of beauty. Broadway fits the bill, and adds a couple of other old school touches.
There is no direct ramp highway access on the south side… you have to go through traffic lights.
There’s a crazy dogleg bend and left hand exit on the north side. So watch your speed, yo! ;-)

The Broadway Bridge is one of Kansas City’s iconic landmarks. To many it may not be something extra special, but I love this bridge. When I was young it served as a gateway to the city; I grew up near Platte Woods in the Northlands. Upon moving back to Kansas City a few years ago, it served as the final link connecting me to a budding relationship unfolding in the downtown area. Now that I have moved downtown, it serves as a remarkable scene out of my living room window and continues to connect me to loved ones.
Originally built and opened in 1956, this bridge has not change very much. Besides new pavement, a few fresh coats of paint and the removal of the toll plaza in 1991, it still looks the same as it did almost 60 years ago. My favorite new feature are all of the up-​lights that have been installed and now light the bridge, making a once dark connection to the Northlands a sexy structure serving as a beloved view to many River Market residents.
When it opened it replaced the Second Hannibal Bridge, which still stands directly to the east and continues to service the railroads. Today it links many of us urban dwellers to friends, family, occupations, and travel via both airports. Some may look at this structure and only see a road bridge, standing tall, stories above the famed Missouri River. I look at this bridge and see history, the City’s and my own.