The New Franklin Viaduct

<br><b>The Need</b><br> When the Missouri, Kansas and Texas (MKT) Railroad established a division in Franklin, Mo., a switching yard was located south of New Franklin. This switching yard contained seven sets of tracks plus the through line. Missouri Highway 5 entered New Franklin by crossing this switching yard. There were several fatal accidents in the area before the viaduct was constructed.<br><br> <b>Construction</b><br> The 1936 federal highway aid bill funded the viaduct and made reducing railroad grade crossings a high priority. A concrete deck girder design was the cheapest way to build the viaduct. The structure includes an unusual amount of architectual detailing because of the importance of the crossing and its location between Boonville and Fayette.<br><br> Carrothers and Crouch of Kansas City built the viaduct in 1939 and 1940. They used local labor, keeping unemployment in the community down during construction. The official dedication was part of an all-day celebration.<br><br> <b>After the MKT</b><br> The MKT Railroad removed the switching yard after they stopped running in 1986. Katy Trail State Park replaced the through line. Missouri Department of Transportation discussed removing the viaduct as early as 1993 because it was not needed.<br><br> <b>The Parkway</b><br> The Missouri Department of Transportation decided to remove the viaduct in 2009 and replace it with a parkway. A part of the railing became a decorative feature for Katy Trail State Park. More than half of the remaining structure provided recycling material for the at-grade parkway, which replaced the viaduct, rather than going to a landfill.