KCT Highline Bridge Lifted for First Time in Over 30 Years

Last month, Kansas City witnessed a historic engineering milestone — the commissioning lift of the Kansas City Terminal Railway (KCT) Highline Bridge. This was the first full lift of all three railroad bridge spans in over three decades.

Originally constructed in 1913 as a fixed bridge, the KCT Highline Bridge was converted into a vertical lift bridge in 1960 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to accommodate major Kansas River flood events. But over time, the lifting mechanism began to fail. By 1993, only two of the three spans could be lifted, and it’s believed the last full lift of all three spans occurred in 1991.

That changed last month, when all 732 feet of the bridge — weighing 16.8 million pounds — were successfully lifted 14 feet using a brand-new jacking system. This test lift marks a major milestone in a multiyear effort that began in 2020, prompted by new levee construction that required the river bridge to lift higher than originally designed. The updated lifting system ensures long-term resilience against major flood events.

“The successful commissioning lift represents not only an engineering feat but a commitment to preserving a vital piece of Kansas City’s bridge infrastructure,” said Jay Hyland, PE, GFT vice president. “We’ve helped bring this historic structure into the modern era.”

Since the 1970s, our firm has served as KCT’s trusted advisor for bridge, track, and civil design. We are proud to create the concept and final design and serve as the construction manager for the Highline Bridge project. The KCT Highline Bridge remains an essential link in Kansas City’s rail network.