Raytown Road over Tributary to Longview Lake

The Raytown Road over Tributary to Longview Lake project replaced aging infrastructure beneath a heavily traveled corridor to improve safety, restore hydraulic function and reduce long-term risk to the surrounding waterway. Two deteriorated corrugated metal pipes had reached the end of their service lives, restricting flow and contributing to channel instability.

Rather than replacing the pipes with similar structures, the project introduced a long-term solution by constructing twin, single-span prestressed I-girder bridges—an approach not typically used for a roadway of this scale. The new structures increase hydraulic capacity, eliminate the existing bottleneck and provide a more durable, long-term solution.

As the prime design consultant, Benesch led the planning, hydraulic analysis, structural design, agency coordination and traffic management strategy. The project also included the addition of a prefabricated pedestrian bridge to enhance connectivity along an adjacent lakeside trail.

Advanced hydraulic modeling played a central role in the design and permitting process. The team secured a No Rise certificate by demonstrating that the new structures would not increase water surface elevations or impact Longview Lake, despite significant changes to the channel geometry.

The project required coordination among multiple agencies and careful traffic management to maintain access along the corridor. During construction, heavy rainfall undermined the phased roadway and prompted a full closure, allowing the contractor to accelerate work and deliver the project ahead of schedule.

The completed project enhances safety, improves long-term system performance and provides expanded access for both motorists and pedestrians.